ASUU Begins Indefinite Strike at UNIZIK Over Incomplete August Salary
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka chapter, has commenced an indefinite strike over the non-payment of the full August 2026 salary to its members.
The union announced the withdrawal of services on Monday following a congress meeting at which members resolved to suspend all academic and administrative activities until the outstanding salaries are fully paid.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairperson of the ASUU-UNIZIK branch, Innocent Nnubia, and its Secretary, Osita Nnajiofor, the union said the action was in line with a standing resolution of the ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) on non-payment of salaries.
According to the union, the resolution empowers its branches to withdraw their services when salaries remain unpaid beyond the third day of the following month.
“Today is 7th September 2026 and the University has not paid the complete salary for the month of August to our members,” the statement said.
The union said the development had become a recurring problem for its members, describing the situation as “ugly and frustrating.”
“This makes it more than three times that our members are having this ugly and frustrating experience,” it said.
ASUU said the decision to embark on the indefinite strike was solely prompted by the non-payment of the outstanding portion of the August salary.
“The sole reason for this action is the non-payment of the complete salary of August 2026,” the union said.
It called on the university authorities and the Visitor to the institution, President Bola Tinubu, to urgently intervene by ensuring that all members receive their full August salaries.
The union also demanded measures to prevent a recurrence of the salary shortfalls.
The statement said the congress resolution directed all members to immediately withdraw both academic and administrative services.
“The withdrawal of services shall subsist until the complete payment of August 2026 salary to all members,” the union said.
The development is expected to affect academic and administrative activities at the university as lecturers suspend their official duties pending the resolution of the salary dispute.
When contacted for a reaction, the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Aloysius Attah, declined to comment on the development.
“No comment,” Attah said.
The strike adds to the long-running concerns over salary payment and employment conditions within Nigeria’s university system, where disputes between academic unions and university authorities have periodically disrupted academic activities.
For UNIZIK staff, however, the immediate issue remains the payment of the outstanding August salary, with ASUU insisting that members will not resume services until the full amount owed to them is paid.
