ASUU Gives FG 14-Day Deadline to Address Concerns

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a two-week deadline for the Federal Government to address several outstanding concerns.

ASUU is demanding that the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee's 2021 draft, be finalised and that withheld salaries from the 2022 strike be paid.

ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, in a press release made available on Wednesday, voiced displeasure with the government’s lack of dedication and delay strategies, noting that these actions are inciting a crisis in the public university system.

“The Academic Staff Union of Universities has extended its ultimatum to the Nigerian government by two weeks. In addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, September 23, 2024, this means that the government now has until October 7, 2024, to resolve all outstanding issues and satisfy the union's demands.

The union should not be blamed for any industrial unrest that arises from the government’s failure to take advantage of the new opportunity offered by ASUU to address the potential crisis,” ASUU reiterated.

In addition to the 2021 agreement, ASUU is requesting that the government release unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments who have been affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System. They are also demanding that the government pay outstanding third-party deductions, such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions. 

The union is seeking funding for the revitalisation of public universities and the payment of earned academic allowances, both of which were partially included in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.

The ASUU is also concerned about the excessive number of universities being established by the Federal and State Governments, the implementation of the recommendations of visitation panels to universities, the reversal of the illegal dissolution of governing councils, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as an alternative to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).