The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the federal government a 14-day ultimatum to address its outstanding demands or face a potential nationwide strike.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, criticized the government for failing to honor agreements dating back to 2009.
The union called for the immediate release of withheld salaries from its members following the 2022 strike action, accusing the federal government of engaging in delay tactics.
ASUU also reiterated its demand for the completion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the recommendations of the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement from 2021.
“If our demands are not met within two weeks, ASUU members will have no choice but to embark on a strike, which will once again disrupt academic activities in public universities across the country,” ASUU stated.
Professor Osodeke emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the union had already extended an earlier 21-day grace period.
“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 lingering issues must be addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union,” the statement read.
He warned that the union should not be blamed for any industrial action, adding that the government had been offered a new opportunity to resolve the crisis.
Among ASUU’s other demands are the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), as well as the payment of outstanding third-party deductions, including check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
The union is also calling for the release of funds for the revitalization of public universities, as outlined in the 2023 federal budget, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances.
ASUU further expressed concerns about the proliferation of universities by both federal and state governments and demanded the implementation of the recommendations from visitation panels to universities. The union also called for the reversal of the dissolution of university governing councils and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for the IPPIS system.
With the threat of another strike looming, ASUU urged the government to act swiftly to prevent a disruption of the academic calendar in public universities.
