ASUU Poised for Another Strike Amid Stalled Agreement with Nigerian Government

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced plans to commence a new industrial action within 21 days if the Nigerian government fails to fulfill the terms of their previous agreement.

This development was confirmed by the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU during a meeting held at the University of Ibadan. A formal notification is expected to be sent to the Federal Ministries of Labour and Education.

A source quoted by PUNCH emphasized, “It is not an ultimatum but a strike notice. We are giving them 21 days’ notice, after which we shall embark on strike.” The source clarified that the notice complies with labor laws to ensure the union’s actions are lawful.

ASUU had previously warned of a potential strike due to the government’s failure to implement agreements. On June 26, Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, convened a meeting with the union to discuss ongoing issues within the university system in a bid to avert the strike.

However, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated that the agreements reached during the meeting remain unfulfilled. “At the meeting called by the Minister of Education, we agreed to reconvene in two weeks to assess the government’s progress. If there is no implementation, we will decide our next steps,” Osodeke said.

Among ASUU’s demands are the non-implementation of the 2009 renegotiated agreements, which have been pending for over six years. The union also highlighted the accumulation of academic allowances over the same period, with no resolution in sight.

Regarding the revitalization fund, Osodeke noted that the Needs Assessment Report called for N200 billion annually over five years to upgrade universities. However, since 2013, only one payment has been made. “We need revitalization funds to raise the standard of our universities and attract both students and lecturers from abroad,” he emphasized.

Osodeke further criticized the government’s continued approval of new universities without providing adequate funding, which he described as a hindrance to the growth of the educational sector.