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ASUU denies FG ₦50 billion payment claim, threatens fresh strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has refuted the Federal Government’s claim that it released ₦50 billion as part of the university revitalisation fund, calling the announcement fake news.

In a statement signed by Prof. Jurbe Molwus, ASUU said the alleged payment has not reached any federal universities, and none of the union’s demands have been met ahead of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for November 8–9, 2025.

Molwus recalled that the union had suspended its two-week warning strike in good faith after assurances from senior government officials that concrete actions would be taken to address pending salary arrears and other entitlements.

“Even the ₦50bn revitalisation fund the FGN claimed to have released some weeks ago is yet to reach the universities. We do not know why the Minister of Education is still keeping it,” he said.

The union also dismissed claims that ₦2.3 billion had been released to settle salary and promotion arrears. Molwus emphasized that university staff have not received any credit alerts, despite government announcements, and described recent statements as misleading.

ASUU stressed that what its members need is actual payments, not press releases, as the union prepares for its NEC meeting.

Outstanding issues include withheld salaries, wage arrears, promotion arrears, and other entitlements, which remain unresolved.

He disclosed that the union had given the government a deadline of November 21, 2025, to meet its demands, failing which it may resume its suspended strike.

The union’s firm stance has reignited debates across Nigeria’s academic community, with many closely watching whether further industrial action will be initiated should the government fail to deliver on its promises.