The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has recently delivered a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding a response to their longstanding issues within a three-week timeframe to prevent an imminent industrial action. This move underscores the persistent tension between the union and the government over unmet demands and unresolved grievances.
Comrade Salim Ahmed, the Chairperson of the ASUU branch at Federal University Dutse (FUD) in Jigawa State, conveyed this ultimatum during an emergency press conference. The event was held at the ASUU Secretariat located within the FUD campus in Dutse. At the conference, Comrade Ahmed elaborated on the critical nature of the union’s demands and the consequences of governmental inaction.
ASUU’s demands include improved funding for public universities, better working conditions for academic staff, and the implementation of previous agreements signed between the union and the government. These agreements have historically addressed various issues such as university autonomy, academic freedom, and the welfare of academic staff. “The union has consistently advocated for the revitalization of public universities through adequate funding and a conducive working environment,” Ahmed emphasized.
The chairperson further explained that the union has exhausted all avenues of dialogue and negotiation with the government. Despite numerous meetings and discussions, the government has repeatedly failed to honor its commitments, leaving the union with no choice but to consider industrial action as a last resort. “We have been patient and committed to dialogue, but our patience has limits. The government’s continuous neglect of our demands is unacceptable,” Ahmed stated firmly.
Comrade Ahmed also highlighted the potential impact of a strike on the academic calendar and the future of students. He urged the government to act swiftly to avert a crisis that would disrupt the education sector and further undermine the quality of education in the country. “A strike is always a last resort, and its consequences are far-reaching. We are calling on the government to prevent this by fulfilling its promises and addressing our legitimate concerns,” he added.
The ultimatum issued by ASUU is a clear indication of the union’s frustration with the current state of affairs. It serves as a warning that the academic staff are prepared to take drastic measures if their demands are not met within the stipulated period. The ball is now in the government’s court to respond appropriately and avoid a disruption that could have severe implications for the higher education sector in Nigeria.
In conclusion, the three-week ultimatum from ASUU to the Federal Government is a critical juncture in the ongoing struggle for better conditions in Nigerian universities. The outcome of this standoff will significantly affect the future of higher education in the country.
According to him, “the Members of the Expanded Executive Officers of the ASUU Federal University Dutse met today, Wednesday, 19th June 2024, to consider and take a look at the patriotic engagements of the Union with the Federal and State governments on how best to address all the lingering problems bedeviling Nigerian Public Universities”.
He said ASUU observed that the present administration deliberately ignored the leadership of the Union since its inception on 29th May, 2023.
“All efforts were put in place by the leadership of the Union to get the government to convene a meeting and listen to ASUU in order to iron out the contending issues, as contained in the International Labour Organization, ILO’s principle of collective bargaining, have failed,” he said.
Ahmed said the renegotiation of the FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement contains all the core issues of ASUU Members welfare, University Autonomy, Funding for Revitalization of Nigerian Universities and Proliferations of Public Universities.
He added that the core issues that pertain to condition of service includes all the contending issues as contained in the FGN/ASUU MoU 2012/2013, and the MoA of 2017, Illegal dissolution of Governing Councils in the Federal and State Universities, Release of three and a half (7) months of the outstanding three and a half (7 ) months withheld salaries for a work that was already done.
“Others are release of the unpaid salaries of our members on sabbatical, adjunct, etc due to IPPIS inadequacy and inefficiency, release of third party deductions by IPPIS, payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), implementation of the report of the visitation Panels and adoption of UTAS in place of IPPIS.
“Based on all these, the members of our great union in this branch, like those of the other branches, are believing that the Federal Government is unwilling to decisively address the outstanding issues with the union, therefore, in line with the directives from the National secretariat, we resolved to hold a press conference and let the parents, the stakeholders in university education know of the situation and to be sensitized and well informed of the failure of the government to address these lingering issues.
“The general public should be aware of the true state of affairs.”
Ahmed disclosed that the union would, within the next three weeks, set machinery in motion to further mobilize its members and sensitize them for further action.
“The union calls on all well-meaning discerning minds to prevail on Nigerian Government to attend to these outstanding issues and meet with our union leadership so as to avert an unnecessary and avoidable industrial crisis in our already frail and weak university system,” Ahmed added.
