ASUU issues two-month ultimatum to FG over withheld salaries, others

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a two-month ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the implementation of all their requests.

Failure to comply will result in the use of all legal measures, including a potential work stoppage with no pay. Adelaja Odukoya, Zonal Coordinator for ASUU in Lagos State, expressed concerns about Nigeria’s imminent collapse during a press conference at the University of Lagos.

ASUU has historically resorted to extended strikes to push the government to meet their demands for the betterment of universities and teaching staff. Despite repeated promises from the government, these commitments often go unfulfilled.

ASUU highlighted several unmet commitments by the government, including the need to renegotiate the FGN ASUU 2009 agreement, address unpaid salaries and Earned Academic Allowances, provide sufficient funding for universities, tackle the issue of too many universities being established, and rectify issues with the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.

During their recent NEC meeting at Obafemi Awolowo University on May 11 to 12, it was decided that the government has a two-month deadline to fulfill these demands. Failure to do so will result in strong action from ASUU to protect Nigerian public universities.

The country is facing imminent collapse due to ineffective leadership in both political and administrative realms. ASUU remains steadfast in defending the integrity of Nigeria against corrupt individuals solely focused on amassing illicit wealth.

Odukoya emphasized that ASUU will not stand idly by while politicians prioritize themselves over the development of Nigeria and destroy public universities.

He stated that if the current situation persists, ASUU, as a patriotic union, will strongly defend the overburdened Nigerian people.

Odukoya exposed that the deliberate underfunding of Nigerian universities is aimed at keeping the country in a perpetual state of underdevelopment.

He highlighted that the insufficient funding of universities aligns with the neoliberal goals of organizations like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to maintain Nigeria’s backwardness.

Universities are being turned into profit-driven institutions focused on providing basic necessities rather than fostering innovation and technological advancement.

This shift aims to position the country as a technology consumer rather than a leader in the industry. ASUU strongly opposes this transformation and urges all Nigerians to support efforts for increased funding in education and universities to empower the population.

Odukoya highlighted that despite negotiations, the 2009 Agreement remains unsigned due to the government’s reluctance to address any concerns or request revisions.

The Agreement encompasses various aspects beyond just salaries and allowances, including university funding, autonomy, and academic freedom.

The government’s reluctance to finalize the renegotiation demonstrates a lack of appreciation for the document’s significance, instead opting to believe that awarding a salary is sufficient.

Our union is actively engaging with the government on collective bargaining in line with the principles outlined in the International Labour Organisation’s Convention No. 98.

Furthermore, the ILO’s Protection of Wages Convention emphasizes the need for mutual agreement when altering wages as per employment contracts.

Former ASUU-UNILAG chairman, Dele Ashiru, also chimed in, stating that if the pending issues are not addressed within two months, the NEC will escalate their actions.

We aim to highlight the government’s lackadaisical approach towards addressing the ongoing disputes with our union and bring it to the attention of both the government and the Nigerian populace.

We want to make it clear that if a crisis erupts in the university system, Bola Tinubu will bear the brunt of responsibility. The APC-led Buhari administration has had a year to start rectifying its deficiencies.