The University of Jos chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticized the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, accusing him of making “misleading statements” about the Federal Government’s compliance with its agreements with university workers.
In a statement signed by the branch chairperson, Prof. Jurbe Joseph Molwus, ASUU warned that it may resume its suspended strike if the government fails to address its demands within the next two weeks.
ASUU recalled issuing a four-week ultimatum on October 22, 2025, demanding that the Federal Government settle all outstanding issues — including withheld salaries and arrears — or face a total industrial action.
Two weeks into the ultimatum, the union said “not much progress has been recorded,” noting that members are still awaiting payment of their 3.5 months withheld salaries, 25/35 percent wage award arrears, promotion arrears, and unpaid salaries.
“As we mobilise for our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for November 8–9, we expect that outstanding entitlements would have been paid by now. But all we get are press releases from the Honourable Minister of Education. What we need are credit alerts, not misleading statements,” the statement read.
ASUU also faulted the minister’s claim that the government had released ₦50 billion as a Revitalisation Fund, insisting that no university has received such funds.
Reacting to another statement by the minister that ₦2.3 billion had been disbursed to clear salary and promotion arrears, the union described the figure as “false and embarrassing.”
“The minister’s claim of clearing the backlog exists only in his imagination. ₦2.3 billion is grossly inadequate and almost insulting. The minister must state clearly what fraction of the outstanding entitlements this money is meant to cover and for whom,” the union stated.
The union reiterated that unless tangible action is taken within the set timeline, it would have no choice but to embark on a nationwide strike to press home its demands.
