The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reiterated its intention to declare a nationwide strike due to the federal government’s refusal to meet its demands despite consistent appeals. Addressing journalists on Tuesday during a news conference at the University of Lagos, the coordinator of the Lagos zone of the union, Professor Adelaja Odukoya, expressed the union’s frustration over the government’s insensitivity to the plight of its members and public universities.
Professor Odukoya emphasized that the only way to prevent the impending industrial action is for the federal government to address their concerns promptly. This statement follows the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on May 11 and 12, 2024.
“Our union assessed the outcomes of its engagements with the state and federal governments over the last few months on matters pertaining to the status of developments around the renegotiated 2009 Agreement, payment of owed salaries and earned academic allowances (EAA), unremitted deductions made by the disruptive and discredited IPPIS, proliferation of universities, and a number of other matters,” Odukoya stated.
He highlighted that many of these issues have been unresolved for years. Odukoya also dismissed the government’s ‘no work, no pay’ threat, arguing that such a policy is not recognized in global labor laws, which Nigeria has ratified.
Regarding the newly-constituted governing councils for federal universities, Odukoya described them as ‘illegal,’ urging the federal government to recall the councils constituted about a year ago to complete their tenures in line with the University Act. “So, we are not talking about the personalities and composition of the list but the illegality of constituting new councils,” he added.
Odukoya called for proper funding of existing public universities instead of creating new ones. He stressed the importance of enhancing the capacity and global competitiveness of these institutions.
ASUU remains steadfast in its struggle for better public university education and overall improvement of the nation’s education system. The union’s demands include the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 Agreement, payment of owed salaries and earned academic allowances, and proper funding for public universities.
