The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged Nigerians to hold the Federal Government accountable if its members are compelled to down tools and shut down public universities. The union asserts that it has made every effort to prevent a looming strike, but the government has shown a lack of sincerity in addressing the union’s concerns.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi by its Zonal Coordinator, Raphael Amokaha, the ASUU-Nsukka Zone highlighted the similarities between the current situation and the protracted strike of 2022. Amokaha outlined the critical issues at stake, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement, inadequate funding for universities, and the disruption caused by the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS), which has infringed on university autonomy.
He expressed frustration over the government’s failure to address these longstanding concerns, including the non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and other entitlements, despite these being included in the 2023 budget.
Amokaha emphasized that the government’s neglect appears to stem from a misguided sense of victory over ASUU, questioning why an intellectual union’s appeals would be met with such disregard, especially in light of recent campaign promises.
The union, he noted, has been advocating for the same issues for the past seven years, consistently seeking a peaceful resolution to avoid industrial action. However, the government’s lack of responsiveness and commitment to prior agreements has left ASUU with little choice.
“We firmly believe that we have exhausted all sensible efforts to prevent further disruptions in our public universities. We urge public-spirited individuals and concerned citizens to support our quest for a resolution to our grievances,” Amokaha stated.
He concluded by pointing out that university workers are among the few groups in Nigeria who have not received a salary review in the last fifteen years. Despite numerous press conferences, protests, and town hall meetings aimed at urging the government to take action, the union’s efforts have yielded no results.