“Another Strike Looms”: Sokoto ASUU Issues Two-Week Ultimatum

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Sokoto State University branch, has issued a two-week ultimatum to the state government to settle outstanding financial obligations to its members or face industrial action.

The union identified five priority areas for resolution, including Earned Academic Allowance, third-party deductions, promotion arrears and accumulated annual increment arrears.

A Familiar Crisis

ADVERTISEMENT

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sokoto State University branch, has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Sokoto State Government to settle outstanding financial obligations to its members or face industrial action.

The decision was reached during the union’s congress on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, following a review of its August 24 resolution and the government’s response to its demands.

The Outstanding Obligations

In a statement signed by the branch Chairman, Bello Musa, and Secretary, Zulkallaini Shehu, the union said officials of the Ministry for Higher Education met with its representatives on September 7 to discuss the outstanding issues.

Among the unpaid obligations, it listed Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) , third-party deductions, promotion arrears, arrears arising from the 25–35 per cent salary adjustment and accumulated annual increment arrears.

“Other components of the Agreement such as payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), non-remittance of the outstanding third-party deductions, outstanding promotion arrears, outstanding arrears for 25%-35% salary components, and accumulated annual increment arrears have not been paid,” the union said.

A History of Broken Promises

ASUU-SSU said it remained cautious about the latest commitment because of what it described as previous instances in which agreements reached with the state government were not fully implemented.

The union said some of its grievances dated back to an agreement reached with the government on March 4, 2024, while further issues were addressed in another agreement facilitated by the Ministry for Higher Education on April 28, 2026.

It acknowledged that the government had partially implemented the salary component of the latter agreement after the agreed implementation period had elapsed, but stressed that several other entitlements remained outstanding.

The Ultimatum

Despite its reservations, the congress resolved to give the government the two weeks requested to fulfil its latest commitments. ASUU warned that failure to address the issues within the deadline would trigger industrial action and disrupt academic and administrative activities at the university.

“Failure to address the union’s demands as promised after the expiration of the two-week deadline, the union resolved to embark on an action that will disrupt all academic activities in the university including statutory meetings where our members are involved,” it warned.

A Call to the People

ASUU-SSU also appealed to residents of Sokoto State to urge the government to honour its commitments and prevent another disruption of academic activities.

The union said it remained hopeful that the government would use the two-week window to resolve the outstanding issues and preserve industrial harmony at the university.

A Lesson for Nigeria

The Sokoto ASUU ultimatum is a reminder that the crisis in Nigeria’s universities is not just about salaries, it is about systemic neglect.

The same politicians who celebrate their children’s graduation will never allow their own children to be taught by unpaid lecturers. Their families are protected.

For Nigeria, the lesson is clear: a nation that does not pay its teachers cannot educate its children.

The same leaders who fail to honour agreements will never allow their own children to be victims of this crisis.

Pay teachers. Honour agreements. And never forget that the future of Nigeria depends on the quality of its universities.