ASUU Strike Could Happen Again Over Withheld Eight-month Pay (DETAILS)

ASUU Strike Could Happen Again Over Withheld Eight-month Pay (DETAILS)

Yesterday, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) urged President Bola Tinubu to promptly disburse the withheld salaries of lecturers, amounting to eight months’ pay.

These salaries had been withheld as a consequence of the “2022 patriotic strike action,” which was instigated by the government’s failure to honor previously agreed-upon terms.

Additionally, the union called upon the present administration to expedite the process of renegotiating the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement, as recommended by the Prof. Nimi Briggs committee.

This move aimed to restore the integrity of the university system.

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In a statement issued by ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, it was revealed that the organization’s National Executive Council (NEC) convened at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State from August 19 to 20. During this meeting, various issues concerning both the university system and the nation were discussed.

The statement further noted the union’s objection to the dissolution of governing councils of federal universities by the President, asserting that such actions contravened existing laws.

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The statement read, “NEC commended the resilience and determination of Nigerian academics in navigating the economic, social, and emotional challenges posed by the unpaid salaries. It attributed past instances of ASUU strike actions to the consistent failure of successive governments to uphold agreements and memoranda established through the collective bargaining principle outlined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a principle that has been integrated into Nigeria’s labor legislation.”

“NEC acknowledged the ongoing endeavors to compel the Federal Government to release the outstanding salaries owed to academics. It implored ASUU’s national leadership, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and all devoted patriots to spare no efforts in achieving this goal.”

“NEC expressed deep concern over the accumulation of several months’ worth of promotion arrears owed to ASUU members. These arrears arose due to disruptions resulting from the obligatory enrollment of academics onto the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information (IPPIS) platform.”

“NEC observed that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has failed to address this matter, despite multiple appeals from the union and university administrations.”

“As a result, ASUU called upon the OAGF to ensure the immediate disbursement of the backlog of promotion arrears to its members, in the interest of maintaining industrial harmony.”

ASUU also proclaimed its rejection of all illicit appointments orchestrated by the IPPIS and its associates within Nigerian public universities.