The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning of a possible nationwide strike to protest against the absence of governing councils in all federal universities across Nigeria, among other unresolved grievances with the government.
Addressing journalists at a press conference held at the University of Abuja on Monday, ASUU President Prof Emmanuel Osodeke highlighted the union's dissatisfaction with the nonchalant attitude of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government towards academic matters in Nigerian Federal Universities.
Osodeke specifically criticized the government's failure to address issues such as the lack of governing councils, the recent salary increments for professors and other academics, which he deemed insufficient. Expressing frustration, Osodeke emphasized that the union had given the government ample time to rectify these issues, including the appointment of members to the governing councils of Federal-owned universities.
He underscored that the dissolution of these councils was deemed illegal and went against established university principles. The announcement comes after the National Universities Commission (NUC) declared the dissolution of governing councils of all federal universities and boards of other agencies and parastatals in the country, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu on June 22, 2023.
ASUU's threat of a nationwide strike serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions between academic unions and the government, highlighting the urgency for meaningful dialogue and resolution to prevent disruptions in the nation's higher education sector.
