The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again raised alarms over the Federal Government’s failure to address pressing problems affecting Nigeria’s universities. ASUU’s Nsukka chapter recently warned that if these issues remain unsolved, another strike might happen soon.
According to Raphael Amokaha, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Nsukka Zone, the union has avoided striking since the 2022 industrial action to maintain peace in the education sector. However, ASUU is running out of patience as the government continues to neglect important concerns.
Amokaha explained that during the 2022 strike, the government dismissed a negotiated agreement and instead imposed a “take it or leave it” offer, forcing ASUU to take action. The union fears that a similar situation might arise again if the government fails to show genuine effort in resolving the issues.
ASUU has been fighting for improvements in Nigeria’s university system for over 15 years. Amokaha emphasized that despite their efforts, nothing has changed for both the universities and their staff. The challenges remain, with ASUU’s attempts to fix the situation often blocked by the government.
The union’s key demands include finalizing the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, which was based on recommendations from the Nimi Briggs Committee. They are also calling for the release of salaries withheld during the 2022 strike and payment of staff affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), including those on sabbatical and part-time contracts.
Other demands include the release of unpaid third-party deductions like cooperative contributions and check-off dues. ASUU also wants more funding for public universities, as outlined in the 2023 federal budget, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances to university staff. Lastly, Amokaha mentioned the concerning rise in the number of universities being created by federal and state governments, which is making the situation worse.
ASUU has urged the government to take these demands seriously to prevent another strike, which would cause further disruptions to the education system in Nigeria. The union hopes for a swift and sincere response from the Federal Government to avoid repeating the events of 2022.
