The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has come out strong, warning the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement or be ready for a strike that’ll shut down public universities across the country.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, made this announcement on Friday during a press conference in Abuja.
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What’s the Problem This Time?
- The renegotiation of the 2009 agreement has been hanging since 2017, that’s eight whole years of back and forth without results.
- ASUU members are still being owed salaries from the 2022 strike.
- The Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) is still causing serious issues with payments and staff welfare.
- They promised N150 billion for university revitalisation? Still not delivered.
- Earned academic allowances? Also stuck.
- State universities like Kogi State University and Lagos State University are still treating ASUU members unfairly, with no job security, withheld salaries, and constant harassment.
- Autonomy of universities is being threatened.
- Government and politicians are interfering in the appointment of university leaders, and Prof. Piwuna mentioned Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the University of Abuja as examples.
In his words, Piwuna said ASUU has had enough.
He described recent happenings in our universities as a total collapse of the system, and blamed the government for failing to take education seriously.
He said Nigeria’s universities are turning into playgrounds for political and economic battles, which he said is “totally unacceptable”.
What Does ASUU Want?
Here’s what they’re demanding:
- Full implementation of the 2009 agreement.
- Immediate payment of owed salaries and entitlements.
- End to political interference in university governance.
- Respect for university autonomy.
- Release of revitalisation and academic allowance funds.
- A clear road map for sustainable university funding.
Piwuna also called for a National Education Summit, where stakeholders can come together to find long-term solutions, especially in the areas of funding, academic welfare, and true autonomy for public universities.