The Ministry of Education has announced efforts to prevent a potential strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
In an interview with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the ministry’s Director of Press, Folasade Biriowo, reassured the public, stating, “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.
ASUU recently issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Nigerian Government, demanding resolutions to several long-standing issues. Key among these demands are the finalization of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021, and the release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike.
The union is also pressing for payment of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, as well as outstanding third-party deductions, such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
Additional concerns raised by ASUU include funding for the revitalization of public universities partially included in the 2023 Nigerian Government Budget and payment of Earned Academic Allowances.
The union also highlighted issues such as the proliferation of universities by Federal and State Governments, implementation of visitation panel reports, reversal of the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution to replace the IPPIS.
ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke expressed frustration with the government’s perceived lack of commitment and delay tactics, which he believes are exacerbating the crisis within the public university system. “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, 23rd September 2024, during which all the lingering issues must be concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union.
The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from the government’s failure to seize this new opportunity,” Osodeke stated.
