The Federal Government is taking action to prevent another potential strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), according to the Ministry of Education. The move comes after ASUU issued a 14-day ultimatum last week, demanding that the government address several unresolved issues.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday in Abuja, the Director of Press at the Ministry of Education, Folasade Biriowo, reassured the public that efforts are already underway to resolve the concerns raised by ASUU. “I can assure you that everything is being done to prevent the strike from happening. The minister has teams working already, so I can give you that assurance,” Biriowo said.
ASUU’s ultimatum stems from ongoing frustrations with the government over several demands, including the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s 2021 Draft Agreement. The union is also calling for the release of salaries that were withheld during the 2022 strike, as well as the payment of unpaid wages for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Other key demands from ASUU include the release of outstanding third-party deductions, such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions, which have yet to be paid. The union is also pushing for the revitalization of public universities, as partially captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances.
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Additionally, ASUU is concerned about the proliferation of universities by both federal and state governments without proper funding or planning. They are also urging the government to implement reports from visitation panels to universities, reverse what they see as the illegal dissolution of governing councils, and adopt the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for IPPIS, which has been a source of controversy.
In a statement issued last Wednesday, ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke expressed the union’s frustration with the government’s slow response and lack of commitment. He warned that continued delays are exacerbating the crisis in Nigeria’s public university system. “The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from government’s failure to seize the new opportunity,” Osodeke said, emphasizing that the government has 14 days to address all the lingering issues to the satisfaction of ASUU members.
With ASUU already having given the government an earlier 21-day ultimatum, the threat of another strike looms large. The union’s warning highlights the urgency of the situation, as a failure to resolve these issues could once again disrupt Nigeria’s university system, affecting both students and staff.
The Ministry of Education, however, remains optimistic that the situation will be resolved without further escalation. “We are fully committed to avoiding any disruption in the academic calendar,” Biriowo said, adding that the teams working on the matter are determined to find a solution before the deadline expires.