Varsity Staff Threaten ‘No Pay, No Work’ Over Demands

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened the federal government to utilise the remaining days of the one-month window period to address its demand or face what is described as ‘No Pay, No Work’ from lecturers.

The decision of the Yola zone of the union was disclosed during a press briefing held at Modibbo Adama University Yola on Friday.

Speaking on behalf of the zonal coordinator, Dr Garba Mbave Joshua, the chairman of ASUU, Taraba State University chapter, warned that the manner the federal government is dragging its feet over its lingering demand, lecturers across varsities are left with no option than to embark on ‘no pay, no work’ to press home their demand.

He noted with dismay that, two weeks before the expiration of the window period, nothing tangible had come from the federal government regarding the matter.

The union therefore demanded immediate and meaningful action from the federal government to conclude the renegotiation process and implement a fair, living wage for Nigerian academics.

“In the past, the government threatened ‘no work, no pay’ for university lecturers. Now we are mulling a plan to embark on ‘no pay, no work’ if the matter is not amicably resolved.

Earlier, a resource person, Prof Daniel Gungula, said no amount of intimidation can make them withdraw from the planned ‘no pay, no work’ move except their demands are met by the federal government.

Gungula lamented that due to poor funding, universities cannot fulfil their mandates, adding that the present government lacks the political will to address ASUU’s longstanding demands to improve universities in Nigeria.

The Yola zone of ASUU comprises six universities: Adamawa State University (ADSU), Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Federal University Gashua (FUGA), Taraba State University (TSU), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), and Yobe State University (YSU).