By Abdussamad Yahya Sufi 400lvl Mass Comm
Academic life at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, took a sudden turn on Wednesday as members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ABU branch, withdrew their services over the non-payment of March 2026 salaries.
The decision followed a congress held at the Abdullahi Smith Lecture Theatre on 8th April 2026, where lecturers voiced frustration over the delay and described it as a recurring issue that continues to affect their welfare and productivity.
According to a resolution reached at the meeting, the union directed all members to immediately suspend lectures and other academic duties in line with its standing position on delayed salary payments. The action, the union stated, will remain in force until the outstanding salaries are settled.
Some lecturers who spoke after the meeting said the delay has made it more difficult to meet basic obligations and added that the move to withdraw services was not taken but deemed necessary.
For students, the announcement increases anxiety as the semester nears its end. With exams scheduled to begin this month, many fear that the strike could disrupt the final lectures, tests, and remaining assessments.
As of now, both staff, and especially students, are left hoping for a quick resolution that will restore normal academic life. The federal government should consider the anxiety of students and urgently settle the outstanding salaries of Ahmadu Bello University staff.