The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve several lingering issues.
The union wants to renegotiate the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s 2021 Draft Agreement, as well as the release of withheld salary from the 2022 strike action.
In a statement released on Wednesday, ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke voiced anger with the government’s lack of commitment and delay tactics, claiming that these measures are fuelling a crisis in the public university system.
“In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, September 23, 2024, during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union.
“The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from the government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud,” ASUU said.
ASUU is demanding the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, as well as the payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
The union is also requesting funds for the revitalisation of public universities, which is partially included in the Federal Government Budget for 2023, as well as payment of earned academic allowances.
Other issues include the proliferation of universities by federal and state governments, the implementation of visitation panel reports on universities, the reversal of illegal Governing Council dissolutions, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution as a replacement for IPPIS.
