Yobe Varsity Begins Strike

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Yobe State University (YSU) branch, has commenced an indefinite strike due to the government’s failure to meet their demands.

The chairman of ASUU, YSU branch, Dr Ahmed Ibrahim, disclosed this in a chat with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Damaturu on Friday.

He said that, after several months of engagement, formal communications and appeals to relevant government authorities, the academic staff under the umbrella of ASUU were compelled to embark on the indefinite industrial action due to lack of response from the government to address their demands.

The demands, according to Dr Ibrahim include, implementation of N70,000 minimum wage of 2024 consequential adjustment as approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages commission to all public Nigerian universities and arrears/variation of N70,000 minimum wage consequential adjustment from 2024 to date.

ASUU also maintained that there has been no annual increment of salaries and steps, noting with concern that consequent promotion of staff and placement on appropriate steps by the university’s governing council, the Ministry of Finance relegated and placed staff on step 1 and the staff remain on that step.

“We deeply regret the disruption this may cause to our dear students and their families and we plead for their understanding and solidarity at this time,” he said.

He said the future of the university depends on a sustainable and fair system that respects the contributions of its staff and honours its obligations, adding that the doors of the university would reopen once the government fulfills its responsibilities.