The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a two-week warning strike beginning from midnight of Monday, Oct. 13, over the Federal Government’s failure to address its outstanding demands.
ASUU President, Mr Chris Piwuna, announced the decision at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja.
Piwuna said the strike followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on Sept. 28, which was intended to give the government time to resolve lingering issues despite several rounds of negotiations.
“The issues include the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and the release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries,” Piwuna said.
“Others are the revitalisation and sustainable funding of public universities, payment of outstanding 25 per cent salary arrears, and promotion arrears spanning over four years.”
He also cited the release of withheld third-party deductions and an end to the alleged victimisation of lecturers at the Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (KSU), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) as part of the unresolved issues.
Piwuna expressed disappointment that the government’s response to the union’s demands had been “provocative and inconsistent.”
“The documents presented by the government’s renegotiating team were a total departure from the recommendations earlier submitted by the committee led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed,” he stated.
He appealed for the understanding of students, parents, and Nigerians, stressing that the action was aimed at compelling the government to revitalise and reposition the nation’s university system.
“All branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight, Monday, Oct. 13.
The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive,” he said.
