ASUU gives FG a 14day Deadline and Threatens to go on Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a 14-day strike warning ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve some lingering issues dating as far back as 2009.
In an announcement released on September 25, a Wednesday. According to ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke, the academic union wants to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the 2021 Draft Agreement of the Nimi Briggs Committee. It also expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s lack of commitment and its delaying strategies, demanding the release of pay cheques that were withheld as a result of the 2022 strike action.
It claimed that the public university system was experiencing a crisis as a result of these acts.
“In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, September 23, 2024, during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union.
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,” ASUU said
In addition, ASUU is requesting the payment of unpaid third-party deductions such check-off dues and cooperative donations, as well as the release of unpaid salary for employees on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments impacted by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.
It further stated that it is in favour of paying earned academic assistants (earnings that are partially funded by the federal government in 2023) and public university revitalisation, both of which are included in the budget for 2023.
Other challenges include the Federal and State Governments’ expansion of universities, the application of visitation panel reports to universities, the reversal of the Governing Councils’ unlawful dissolution, and the University Transparency and Accountability Solution’s replacement of IPPIS.
