ASUU Issues 21-Day Ultimatum to Federal and State Governments Over Unresolved Issues

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal and State Governments a 21-day ultimatum to resolve critical issues affecting Nigeria’s universities. This decision was announced by ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, during a press conference at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia.

The ultimatum comes in response to what ASUU describes as a failure by the government to address longstanding problems within the higher education sector. Prof. Osodeke revealed that the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) met from August 17 to August 18 at the University of Ibadan, where they decided to issue the ultimatum.

Key Issues Highlighted by ASUU:

• Renegotiated Agreement: ASUU demands the review and signing of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
• Funding: The union is calling for impactful funding, including the Emergency Revitalisation Fund for public universities.
• Allowances and Arrears: ASUU is seeking the payment of outstanding earned academic allowances, release of withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and resolution of third-party deductions.
• Recruitments and Regulations: The union is opposed to illegal recruitments, the proliferation of public universities, and violations of universities’ laws and regulations.
• Financial Autonomy: ASUU demands the removal of universities from the Treasury Single Account and the IPPIS system to promote university autonomy.

Prof. Osodeke criticized the Federal and State Governments for their perceived inaction and the slow pace of intervention by the Minister of Education. He also condemned the recent attempt to divert Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) grants to the Students’ Education Loan Scheme, arguing that it undermines the original purpose of the fund.

The NEC meeting also addressed reports on unfulfilled government promises related to the nationwide strike from February to October 2022. In light of these issues, ASUU has declared September 10, 2024, as Victimised Lecturers’ Day. This day will be used to show solidarity with members who have been unfairly targeted and to protest against ongoing labor-management disputes at several universities, including Lagos State University and Federal University of Technology Owerri.

The press conference, which highlighted these concerns, was attended by key ASUU officials, including the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Owerri Zone, Prof. Dennis Aribodor.

For further updates and detailed information, stay tuned