ASUU Threatens Fresh Strike, Says FG Has ‘Destroyed Trust’
- Nigeria’s university lecturers have issued a fresh warning of a nationwide strike, citing the Federal Government’s failure to honour key agreements
- ASUU says unresolved issues, including unpaid salaries and poor pension conditions, continue to threaten the future of public universities
- With rallies planned and tensions rising, fears mount over another disruption to the country’s fragile education system
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning of a potential nationwide strike, citing the Federal Government’s persistent failure to honour longstanding agreements concerning the revitalisation and adequate funding of Nigeria’s public universities.
Speaking at a press conference held at the University of Jos on Thursday, ASUU President, Dr Christopher Piwuna, accused the government of employing delay tactics and reneging on promises made over the past two years.
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He stated that lecturers have endured prolonged neglect and broken commitments, which continue to undermine the country’s higher education system.
ASUU lists unresolved issues including salary arrears
Dr Piwuna outlined several unresolved matters, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, unpaid salary arrears, withheld promotions, and the deteriorating welfare of retired academic staff.
He lamented that despite repeated appeals and formal correspondence, the Federal Government had consistently ignored the union’s calls for dialogue.
“The general public should also note that ASUU has written several letters to the FGN drawing its attention to the need to resolve this crisis amicably. Lamentably, the FGN has always turned a deaf ear to all our pleas,” Piwuna said.
He added that the union may be left with no alternative but to embark on industrial action to compel the government to meet its obligations. “It is clear that ASUU may have no other option than to embark on an action to press the FGN to listen to our demands and do the needful,” he warned.
ASUU rejects loan scheme, criticises university proliferation
The ASUU president also rejected the government’s proposed tertiary institutions staff support fund loan scheme, describing it as a “trap” that fails to address the core issues affecting academic staff. “Our members do not need loans. What we need is the implementation of agreements that will improve our purchasing power. Government is still owing us three months’ salaries, yet they are asking us to borrow money,” he said.
In addition, the union condemned the unchecked proliferation of universities without sustainable funding, arguing that such practices have contributed to declining academic standards and poor global rankings.
Pension crisis and planned campus rallies
On the issue of pensions, ASUU expressed deep concern over the plight of retired professors, some of whom reportedly receive as little as ₦150,000 monthly after decades of service. The union highlighted the impact of inflation and rising living costs on the quality of life for retired academics.
ASUU announced that it would await the outcome of a scheduled government meeting on August 28 before determining its next course of action. However, it revealed plans to stage rallies across university campuses next week to express its growing frustration.
“Time is running out. We cannot continue to wait endlessly while the future of Nigerian universities is destroyed,” Piwuna declared.
Source: Legit.ng
