The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised the alarm that the university system across the country is gradually crumbling as a result of the government’s unwillingness to address outstanding concerns with the union, hence, the need for urgent revival before it breaks down totally.
ASUU urged concerned stakeholders to lobby federal and state governments to resolve unresolved concerns with the union to avoid unnecessary industrial crises in the country’s already weak university sector.
Speaking to reporters at a rally held at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUED) in Oyo State, EAUED ASUU chairman Michael Ojo stated that the union’s outstanding issues with the government include the release of funds for the revitalization of public universities, the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils in federal and state universities, and the release of the balance of three and a half months withheld salaries of union members.
Others include the release of unpaid salaries of adjunct and sabbatical workers, unpaid arrears of earned academic allowance, revision of the FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement, the proliferation of universities, and outstanding salaries and promotion opportunities for its members, among others.
“The union condemn the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils in universities and I appeal to the government at all levels to allow universities to operate in accordance with the laws that established them.
“ASUU appeals to the federal government to pay withheld salaries of its members who are on sabbatical or adjunct capacity and replace IPPIS with UTAS,” he said.
Ojo urged President Bola Tinubu to promptly approve the release of funding for urgent projects on university campuses across Nigeria.
He called for full payment of all entitlements of ASUU members, saying no work, no pay policy introduced by the government was a breach of International Labour Law.
“The union is not happy with the silence of the federal and state governments on an issue that has led to the avoidable death of many of its members across campuses.
“The union urges President Tinubu to set in motion a process that will lead to review and signing of Jimi Briggs-led renegotiated draft agreement as a mark of goodwill and hope for Nigerians public universities.”
Ojo urged Tinubu to refrain from further proliferation of Universities and refocus the system, saying Universities should be adequately empowered to address challenges confronting the nation to stand with their peers anywhere in the world.
“EAUED ASUU calls on federal and state governments to rise to their responsibility of adequate funding of universities to avoid emergent rot and decay that are becoming more noticeable in public universities despite TETFund intervention.
“EAUCED ASUU urges Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo State) to release the money to defray all the university’s indebtedness and address payment of 25/35 percent salary award to its members.”
