There are concerns that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), representing university workers, may be preparing for another conflict with the federal government regarding issues surrounding members’ welfare and working conditions.
This comes amidst disappointment among university workers over President Bola Tinubu’s failure to fulfill promises, including the release of withheld eight months’ salaries from the 2022 industrial action and the implementation of the N35,000 wage award and salary review.
The union is expressing frustration with the government’s failure to fulfill promises made, highlighting the lack of implementation of agreements with organized labor, particularly ASUU, during the current administration.
Despite Tinubu’s assurances to prevent future strikes, little visible action has been taken by the government to address ASUU’s grievances.
Tinubu had pledged cooperation with unions to foster educational development and emphasized dialogue over strikes.
Despite Tinubu’s approval of a partial waiver of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy for striking ASUU members, their salaries remain unpaid almost sixteen months after returning to work.
ASUU is conducting nationwide consultations regarding the government’s failure to implement agreements, expressing regret over the hardship faced by members and highlighting unresolved issues, such as salary payments and removal from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
The union is dissatisfied with the government’s actions, including the failure to fully implement wage awards and salary reviews promised as palliatives.
ASUU’s National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, stated that no agreements have been implemented, and consultations are ongoing to determine the next steps.
ASUU branch chairman, Comrade Nobert Oyibo Eze, lamented the worsening conditions for union members, criticized the government’s failure to fulfill promises, and warned of potential further action by the union.