The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a four-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to commence the implementation of a newly approved salary structure for lecturers in Nigerian public universities.

ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, announced the deadline on Thursday during a public lecture held at Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus, in Bauchi State. He stated that the countdown takes immediate effect and warned that failure to comply would prompt a decisive response from the union.

“We have issued a four-day ultimatum from today to the Federal Government to begin the payment of the newly approved salary structure. Failure to comply will attract a strong response from the union,” Piwuna said.

He explained that the demand forms part of broader efforts by the union to address longstanding welfare concerns affecting university lecturers. According to him, poor remuneration has contributed significantly to the ongoing brain drain in the academic sector and the gradual decline in the quality of higher education in Nigeria.

Piwuna also expressed concern over what he described as the government’s inconsistent implementation of agreements reached with the union over the years. He noted that such lapses have repeatedly led to disputes and industrial actions.

Observers say the latest ultimatum could heighten tensions between ASUU and the Federal Government, raising the possibility of another nationwide strike if the demands are not met within the stipulated timeframe.

ASUU has a history of embarking on prolonged industrial actions to press home its demands, often resulting in disruptions to academic activities across public universities and affecting millions of students nationwide.