The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address several unresolved issues, some of which date back as far as 2009, or face a potential strike, Okay.ng reports.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU President, outlined the union’s demands, including the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021.
The union also called for the release of withheld salaries following the 2022 strike action and expressed frustration over what it termed as the government’s delay tactics.
ASUU warned that the government’s inaction was worsening the crisis in Nigeria’s 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, September 23, 2024, during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union,” the statement read.
ASUU made it clear that the union should not be blamed for any industrial action that could arise if the government fails to meet its demands.
Among ASUU’s key demands are:
- Payment of withheld salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
- The release of third-party deductions, including check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
- Funding for the revitalization of public universities, as partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.
- The payment of Earned Academic Allowances.
- Addressing the proliferation of universities by federal and state governments.
- Implementing the recommendations of visitation panels to universities.
- Reversing the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils.
- Adopting the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for the controversial IPPIS system.
