Daud Olatunji
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, signaling the potential for renewed industrial action if lingering issues affecting Nigeria’s public universities are not addressed.
This warning follows the government’s failure to resolve several long-standing disputes despite previous negotiations and agreements.
The National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, following a meeting at the University of Ibadan, originally gave the government a 21-day deadline, communicated via a letter dated August 20, 2024.
However, ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, in a press release on September 23, 2024, stated that the government has made no substantial progress on critical issues, prompting the union to extend the deadline by an additional 14 days.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that among the unresolved matters are the failure to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, the release of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, and payment of outstanding salaries for staff affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
ASUU also highlighted the government’s refusal to implement the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), an alternative payment system developed by the union to replace IPPIS.
ASUU expressed frustration at the government’s persistent inaction, describing its approach as characterized by “bureaucratic bottlenecks” and “time-buying tactics.”
The union criticized the government for its reluctance to address non-monetary issues, such as the removal of universities from the IPPIS system, despite a presidential directive and a court order supporting this move.
The union further condemned the proliferation of universities without adequate funding, which it described as “alarming and embarrassing.”
According to ASUU, the government’s failure to prioritize education is at odds with its claims of insufficient funds. Professor Osodeke pointed out that the significant inflows from subsidy removal and Naira devaluation could support these institutions if there were political will.
In its statement, ASUU reiterated its commitment to dialogue and collective bargaining, citing consultations with national leaders, including former presidents, traditional rulers, and the National Assembly, to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
However, the union warned that the government’s non-committal attitude and empty promises have only worsened the situation, threatening industrial harmony in the university system.
ASUU called on well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and urge the government to address the outstanding issues, emphasizing that 2024 has been declared the African Union Year of Education.
The union urged the government to stop paying lip service to public education funding, which many political elites had benefitted from in the past.
The 14-day extension of ASUU’s ultimatum runs from September 23, 2024.
The union warned that any failure by the government to meet its demands within this period could lead to industrial disharmony, for which ASUU should not be blamed.
Professor Osodeke stressed that ASUU remains open to negotiations but will not hesitate to take action if the government continues to ignore its responsibilities.
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