The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a fervent plea to the Federal Government, urging swift action to uphold and implement previously agreed-upon terms between both parties, aiming to avert potential industrial unrest.
During a press conference held in Kano on Wednesday, Mr. Abdulqadir Muhammad, the ASUU Coordinator for the Kano Zone, reiterated the pressing need for the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU. He highlighted the significant devaluation of academic staff salaries, which has plummeted by 90% due to the drastic change in the exchange rate to the U.S. dollar, from N146 to the current N1,900.
Expressing frustration over the delay in signing the draft agreement, despite the formation of a new negotiation committee, Muhammad called upon President Bola Tinubu to expedite the process of reviewing and signing the renegotiated draft agreement as a gesture of goodwill, emphasizing the need to avert industrial crises and restore hope for Nigeria’s public universities.
Muhammad also confirmed that ASUU members had received partial payment of their seven withheld salaries but stressed the importance of settling the remaining balance. The union additionally urged the Kaduna State Government to address the five-month salary arrears owed to staff at Kaduna State University.
ASUU’s demands extended to the payment of Earned Academic Allowances and promotion arrears, as well as criticism of the dissolution of Governing Councils of public universities, which it deemed a violation of established laws.
Furthermore, ASUU advocated for a review of the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) Act to tackle the unchecked proliferation of universities without adequate funding provisions.
Beyond educational concerns, the union voiced alarm over the nation’s escalating insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and soaring cost of living, which have contributed to widespread displacement and destitution.
ASUU called upon media, civil society, labor, and student groups to support its efforts to revitalize Nigerian public universities, while urging President Bola Tinubu to faithfully implement the terms of the agreement reached through collective bargaining.
The plea from ASUU underscores the pressing need for immediate action to address the grievances and ensure the sustainability of Nigeria’s higher education sector.
