The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has stated that parents, guardians, and other Nigerians should not blame the union for any strike actions that may occur following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
The union emphasized that, despite its efforts to foster positive industrial relations in public universities, the Federal Government has not taken the necessary steps to address the issues at hand.
In a statement signed by Bauchi Zonal Coordinator Namo Timothy Aku, ASUU noted that its National Executive Council (NEC) met at the University of Ibadan on August 17-18, 2024, and subsequently issued a 21-day ultimatum for the government to resolve ongoing disputes, or risk a shutdown of the university system. This ultimatum was communicated to the government through the Minister of Education and expired on September 14, 2024.
Key unresolved issues include the completion of negotiations regarding the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, the release of three-and-a-half months of unpaid salaries for academic staff, payment of outstanding salaries for adjunct faculty, the release of third-party deductions, and funding for the revitalization of public universities.
Other points of contention include the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) as stipulated in the 2023 Federal Government Appropriation, the proliferation of universities by federal and state governments, the implementation of visitation panel reports, the unlawful dissolution of Governing Councils, and the replacement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) with the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) for salary payments.
During a review meeting on September 19, 2024, ASUU leadership noted that the government has failed to implement agreements and directives related to the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, including exiting universities from the IPPIS, despite a presidential directive and a court order.
The government has also not acted on the recommendations of visitation panels or amended the National Universities Commission (NUC) Act to halt the unchecked establishment of public universities without proper funding.
ASUU expressed concern over the government’s use of delaying tactics and a lack of budgetary provisions, despite funds being appropriated in the 2023 budget for EAA and university revitalization. The union questioned why academic staff have not been transitioned out of the IPPIS system, despite a presidential directive.
The union argued that claims of insufficient funding are unfounded, as the Federation Account has seen increased revenues following the removal of oil subsidies and the devaluation of the Naira. They attributed the issues to a lack of prioritization and political will.
ASUU regretted the government’s failure to engage constructively in addressing these matters and has decided to issue another 14-day ultimatum starting Monday, September 23, 2023, for the government to resolve all outstanding issues. The union emphasized that it should not be held accountable for any disruptions after this period.
