The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria, demanding immediate resolution of several unresolved issues affecting the nation’s public university system. The union is pushing for the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021, among other key demands.
ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, voiced his frustration with the government’s prolonged delays in a statement released on Wednesday. He criticized the lack of commitment from the government, describing their actions as fueling a worsening crisis in the public university sector.
Key Demands
At the heart of ASUU’s demands is the full implementation of the 2021 agreement negotiated with the Federal Government. The union is also advocating for the release of withheld salaries of lecturers affected by the 2022 strike, as well as those on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments who were impacted by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Further demands include the payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions, funding for the revitalization of public universities, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances—both of which were partly included in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.
Other concerns raised by the union include:
- The proliferation of universities by Federal and State Governments, which ASUU sees as detrimental to the quality of education.
- The implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities.
- The reversal of the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils.
- The adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for IPPIS.
ASUU’s Stance
In the statement, Osodeke emphasized that ASUU has given the government ample opportunity to resolve these issues, including an earlier 21-day notice which expired without resolution. The additional 14 days granted, beginning from Monday, September 23, 2024, is seen as ASUU’s final effort to prevent further disruptions in the education sector.
He warned, “The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from the government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud.”
A Looming Strike?
This ultimatum raises concerns about the potential for another strike, which would cause further disruptions to academic activities in public universities across the country. If the government fails to meet ASUU’s demands within the stipulated timeframe, the country may witness renewed industrial action, which could have far-reaching implications for students and the education system at large.
For more details, read the full report on Punch News.
Conclusion
As ASUU continues to press for the resolution of these critical issues, the Federal Government faces increasing pressure to act swiftly and avert another potential strike. The coming days will be pivotal in determining whether the government can address the union’s concerns and restore stability to Nigeria’s public universities.
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