Academic Staff Union of Universities Demands 14-Day Window for Welfare Concerns

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Calabar Zone has given the Federal Government an additional 14-day window to address its welfare concerns, after issuing a 21-day ultimatum in August. The union claims that nothing meaningful has been done to address its grievances since the ultimatum was issued.

Addressing a press conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Happiness Uduk, expressed disappointment at the government’s lack of action. "We have seen no meaningful effort from the government to address our demands. Meetings have been held, but government agents have been more concerned with receiving allowances from taxpayers’ money," Uduk said.

ASUU is demanding that the government address 10 key issues, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN agreement, the release of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, and the implementation of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) to replace the controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Despite a court order and presidential directive in December 2023 mandating the adoption of UTAS, the government has refused to implement the solution, opting instead for IPPIS, which has created severe financial irregularities. "It is difficult for any university worker to know their exact salary. Salaries fluctuate monthly, and third-party deductions are released inconsistently, leaving members in financial disarray," Uduk noted.

The union has given the government until September 23, 2024, to address its concerns. If the government fails to comply, ASUU will be forced to withdraw its services and ask its members to proceed with industrial action. The union is urging the public to hold the government accountable if such action occurs.

The Zonal Coordinator was flanked at the event by six other union officials from various universities in the region.