The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve lingering issues dating back to 2009 or face another strike.
In a statement released on Wednesday, ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, emphasized the union’s demands, which include the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021.
The union is also demanding the release of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike action, expressing frustration over what it describes as the government’s “lack of commitment and delay tactics,” which are threatening the stability of Nigeria’s public university system.
ASUU further warned that failure to address these issues would lead to industrial action.
“The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from the government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud,” Osodeke said.
The union’s other demands include the release of unpaid salaries for staff affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), as well as funding for university revitalization and payment of Earned Academic Allowances, both partially captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.
ASUU also raised concerns about the proliferation of universities by Federal and State Governments, the implementation of university visitation panel reports, and the reversal of what it describes as the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils.
The union is pushing for the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for IPPIS.
If the government fails to act within the given 14 days, ASUU warned of potential strike action that could disrupt the academic calendar in public universities once again.