The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian government, stating that it should be held responsible if its members go on strike, leading to the shutdown of public universities across the country.
This announcement was made on October 2, 2024, by the ASUU-Nsukka Zone through a statement titled "Let Good Conscience Prevail," issued by its Zonal Coordinator, Raphael Amokaha.
ASUU emphasized that despite their continuous efforts to avoid industrial action, the government has shown a lack of sincerity and commitment in addressing their concerns. "We have done everything to avert the looming strike, but the government and its agents have not demonstrated sincerity of purpose in dealing with the union," said Amokaha.
The union highlighted several unresolved issues, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement, poor funding of universities, and the non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and other emoluments. These issues have persisted despite being captured in the 2023 budget. "University workers are one of the very few, if not the only set of workers in Nigeria that have not had a salary review in the last fifteen years," Amokaha added.
ASUU also criticized the government's approach, describing it as nonchalant and evasive. "This attitude, unfortunate in its nonchalance, may be inspired by a delusional sense of conquest over ASUU. Why else would a government treat the cries and appeals of an intellectual union with such disdain and levity?" Amokaha questioned.
The union called on concerned citizens and public-spirited individuals to support their quest for an amicable resolution of these grievances. "We are making this last-ditch effort that public-hearted individuals and all concerned citizens will lend their voices to our efforts to seek an amicable resolution of the concerns and agitations of our union," Amokaha urged.
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