ASUU Declares Nationwide Strike Over Unpaid Salaries While Tinubu Offers Scholarships in St Lucia

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a nationwide strike across all federal universities following the federal government’s failure to pay June salaries.

The industrial action is in line with ASUU’s “No Pay, No Work” policy, which mandates lecturers to stop work when salaries are delayed beyond the first three days of a new month.

The strike began with institutions like the University of Jos and the University of Abuja, and more branches are expected to join. ASUU also raised concerns over the government’s failure to fully release ₦10 billion in Earned Academic Allowances, despite previously approving ₦50 billion.

The salary delay is linked to technical issues in the government’s switch from the IPPIS payroll platform to the new GIFMIS system. ASUU said the federal government has not made any formal effort to address the matter or engage with the union.

Meanwhile, during a state visit to Saint Lucia, President Bola Tinubu offered scholarships and cultural exchange opportunities to students at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. He encouraged the students to value education and pledged to sponsor the school’s performing arts group on a cultural trip to Nigeria.

While the gesture was welcomed in Saint Lucia, it has sparked criticism at home, where Nigerian universities are currently shut and lecturers remain unpaid.

With academic activities now on hold across the country, thousands of students face renewed uncertainty as no resolution has been announced.