The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed frustration over the prolonged stalemate in its renegotiation with the Federal Government on key issues affecting university lecturers and the education sector.
Speaking In an interview with PUNCH Online in Jos on Sunday, ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna said the union had run out of patience with the government’s failure to take concrete action, despite years of promises and discussions.
“We are tired of words and promises,” the ASUU president stated.
Piwuna underlined that the union’s demands are clear and well-articulated, citing a 2009 agreement with the government that addresses critical issues such as working conditions, university autonomy, academic freedom, long-term funding, and earned academic allowances.
“Our efforts are frustrated by the government. It has been seven years now since we started renegotiation with the government. It has reached a point that something must give way. We either have an agreement or we don’t. We are tired of words and promises of action. Our members can only respond to action,” he said.
The ASUU president stated that concerns such as infrastructure deterioration, staff demoralisation, cultism, and diminishing educational quality in institutions can be best addressed by more financing and improved professors’ salaries.
“We believe that the infrastructural decay, demoralised staff, cultism, and poor quality of education in our universities can best be addressed through increased funding and improved remuneration for our members,” he added.
Piwuna also emphasised the significance of integrating non-teaching personnel in wage assessments, claiming that doing so would foster unity and stability within the university system.
“Let me be clear: non-teaching staff of the university should be carried along as our salaries are reviewed. It will promote harmony and stabilise the system,” he said.
He issued a warning that the government must be prepared to face the consequences of its continued inaction.
“In the days and weeks ahead, the government should be ready to accept whatever they see,” he warned.
