The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian public, holding the Federal Government responsible if public universities face another shutdown. According to ASUU, the union has exhausted all peaceful avenues to avoid another strike, but the government has not shown genuine commitment to addressing their concerns.
Government’s Negligence and the Threat of Another Strike
In a statement released by the ASUU-Nsukka Zone on Wednesday in Makurdi, Zonal Coordinator Raphael Amokaha expressed frustration over the government’s failure to address long-standing issues. The statement, titled “Let Good Conscience Prevail,” referred to the prolonged strike of 2022 and warned of a repeat scenario.
ASUU pointed out unresolved issues that have persisted for years, such as the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement, inadequate university funding, and the forced implementation of the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS), which has undermined university autonomy. Additionally, the non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and other entitlements from the 2023 budget remains a pressing issue.
Efforts to Prevent Another Strike
Since suspending their nationwide strike in October 2022, ASUU has made multiple attempts to prevent further disruptions in public universities. They have engaged the National Industrial Court and continued to seek dialogue with both the previous and current governments.
Despite these efforts, the union believes the government is indifferent, acting under the assumption that it has control over ASUU. The union feels that the government’s campaign promises have not been honored, with their appeals for meaningful action being largely ignored.
For over seven years, ASUU has consistently fought to address these same issues, always striving to avoid further disruption in Nigeria’s universities. Despite their best efforts, no significant progress has been made in resolving the ongoing challenges.
Call for Public Support
Amokaha emphasized that ASUU-Nsukka Zone has done everything in its power to prevent further harm to Nigeria’s academic institutions. The union is now appealing to concerned citizens and well-meaning individuals to support their efforts in finding a resolution.
ASUU highlighted that university staff are among the few groups in Nigeria who have not received a salary review in the last fifteen years. The union has organized press conferences, protests, and town hall meetings, all aimed at avoiding strikes. However, none of these efforts have yielded the desired results.
Government’s Lack of Commitment
ASUU expressed frustration with the government’s lack of sincerity. Meetings have been postponed, and officials have offered non-committal responses instead of taking concrete steps toward a solution.
The union also referenced the President’s speech during Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary, where a month-long youth conference was announced. ASUU questioned whether such a conference could truly compare to the benefits of a stable academic calendar, which is essential for the future of Nigerian youth. They stressed that no conference can serve the needs of students across the more than 70 public universities in the country.
A Call for Serious Action on Education
ASUU urged the government to demonstrate genuine concern for Nigeria’s youth by taking the education sector seriously. To avoid another crisis in public universities and safeguard the future of students, the union called for the government to act responsibly and with conscience.
While ASUU has grown increasingly disillusioned with the current administration, they remain steadfast in their pursuit of positive change. The union made it clear that if forced into another strike, the government alone will bear the blame. At that point, any calls for a resolution should be directed at the government, not the union.
ASUU’s message is clear: the time for action is now, and the future of Nigeria’s public universities rests in the hands of the government.