ASUU Sule Lamido University Strike Ultimatum: Demands Unpaid Arrears

• The ASUU branch at Sule Lamido University issued a two-week ultimatum to the Jigawa State Government on September 1, 2026.
• The union demands full implementation of the 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement and payment of outstanding salary arrears from January 2026.
• Other demands include exemption from IPPMS, remittance of third-party deductions, and payment of various allowances and promotion arrears.
• Failure to meet these conditions will lead to industrial action commencing on September 15, 2026.
• The resolution was signed by Branch Chairman Idris Muhammad Chiromawa and Secretary Saliu Yunusa following a special congress meeting.

Should the demands remain unaddressed, the union has declared that its members will commence industrial action from September 15, 2026.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) branch at Sule Lamido University (SLUK) in Kafin Hausa has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Jigawa State Government, demanding the full implementation of the 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement and the payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to its members. This significant ASUU Sule Lamido University strike ultimatum signals potential industrial unrest if the government fails to meet the union's conditions. Should the demands remain unaddressed, the union has declared that its members will commence industrial action from September 15, 2026.

This decisive move followed a Special Congress Meeting of ASUU-SLUK, held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences Lecture Theatre 2 within the university premises. The meeting's primary purpose was to receive an update on the progress of the 2025 ASUU-FGN agreement's implementation, particularly concerning the new salary structure, and to reassess the union's previous stance on these critical issues. The resolution formalizing these demands and the ultimatum was jointly signed by the branch Chairman, Idris Muhammad Chiromawa, and Secretary, Saliu Yunusa.

Central to the union's demands is the immediate payment of all accrued salary arrears, specifically those dating from January 2026 up to the present. Beyond the general salary arrears, the ASUU-SLUK branch is also pushing for the settlement of several other financial obligations. These include all outstanding responsibility allowances due to entitled staff, annual increments that have been pending for members since 2023, and promotion arrears owed to eligible staff since 2024. Furthermore, the union insists on the release of the approved Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) for the 2024/2025 academic session.

Another critical demand from the union is the exemption of Sule Lamido University from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Management System (IPPMS) or the current payroll system. ASUU-SLUK argues that the existing system does not adequately accommodate the unique operational characteristics of the university, thereby hindering efficient payroll management. The union also seeks the remittance of all outstanding third-party deductions. Additionally, ASUU-SLUK has urged the Jigawa State Government to reconsider its decision to reduce the statutory two percent Local Government contribution to the university by 0.7 percent and has called for sustainable funding mechanisms for the "other sister university" in the state. These SLUK salary demands highlight a comprehensive set of grievances beyond just basic pay.

The ultimatum issued by the ASUU branch at Sule Lamido University underscores the ongoing challenges in implementing collective bargaining agreements within Nigeria's public university system. The demand for full implementation of the 2025 ASUU-Federal Government agreement, including its new salary structure, reflects a broader national issue regarding the enforcement of such accords. The threat of Sule Lamido University industrial action by September 15, 2026, places significant pressure on the Jigawa State Government to quickly resolve these multifaceted issues.

This dispute carries substantial implications for industrial relations in the public sector, particularly concerning the management of Jigawa ASUU unpaid salary arrears, the suitability of centralized payroll systems like IPPMS for academic institutions, and the proper handling of third-party deductions. Lawyers advising public universities or state governments in Nigeria should closely monitor this development for precedents regarding the enforcement of collective bargaining agreements and the management of public sector industrial relations, especially concerning salary arrears, payroll system exemptions, and third-party deductions. The union's firm stance, backed by a specific strike date, highlights the urgency and potential for disruption if a resolution is not reached within the two-week timeframe.

Lawyers advising public universities or state governments in Nigeria should monitor this dispute closely for precedents regarding the enforcement of collective bargaining agreements (like the ASUU-FGN 2025 agreement) and the management of public sector industrial relations, particularly concerning salary arrears, payroll system exemptions, and third-party deductions.

Source: Original reporting via Daily Trust