ASUU Strike Looming: 21-Day Notice Sent to Federal Government Over Unmet Agreements. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 21-day strike notice to the Federal Government. This notice was decided during a recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Ibadan.
Key Details:
- Notice Period: The 21-day notice is a warning, not an ultimatum, giving the government time to address ASUU’s concerns.
- Legal Compliance: The notice complies with labour laws, ensuring that all actions taken are lawful.
- Unmet Agreements: ASUU’s decision stems from the Federal Government’s failure to implement previous agreements.
Background:
On June 26, 2024, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, held a meeting with ASUU to address ongoing issues in Nigerian universities and to avert a strike. However, ASUU remains dissatisfied with the progress.
ASUU’s Main Concerns:
- Unimplemented Agreements: ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke highlighted that the government has failed to honor the agreements reached with the union.
- Two-Week Review: ASUU and the government agreed to review the situation in two weeks to decide on further action.
- 2009 Agreements: Key agreements from 2009 remain unimplemented, including those related to funding and academic conditions.
- Accumulated Academic Allowances: ASUU members have not received academic allowances for over six years.
- Revitalisation Fund: ASUU demands N200 billion annually for five years, as per the Needs Assessment Report, to upgrade universities. Only one payment has been made since 2013.
- Proliferation of Universities: ASUU criticized the government’s approval of new universities without proper funding for existing ones.
Conclusion:
ASUU’s 21-day notice reflects its frustration with the government’s inaction. The outcome of a review meeting in two weeks will likely determine whether ASUU proceeds with a nationwide strike. The union is resolute in its demands for the implementation of agreements, payment of allowances, and sufficient funding for Nigerian universities.
