ASUU Threatens Strike, Issues Federal Gov’t 14-day Ultimatum

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve some lingering issues or risk another industrial action.

ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke gave the ultimatum in a statement on Wednesday, expressing frustration with the alleged delay tactics being used by the government to shy away from its pending commitments.

Osodike stated that the government’s behaviour towards the union’s members is fueling crisis in the public university system.

ASUU is seeking the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021, as well as the release of withheld salaries of its members due to the 2022 strike action.

The union also seeks the implementation of the 2021 agreement, as well as the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and the payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.

The academic union is also demanding funding for the revitalisation of public universities and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.

Additionally, ASUU is asking the government to curb the proliferation of universities by Federal and State Governments and demanding the implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities, the reversal of the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution as a replacement for IPPIS.

“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,” Oshodeke said.

He added that, “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.”