ASUU Issues 21-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government Over Unresolved Issues
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has delivered a significant 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, citing unresolved issues that threaten the stability of Nigeria’s higher education system.
In a press conference held at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke outlined critical concerns including the urgent need for an emergency revitalization fund for public universities, payment of outstanding earned academic allowances, and the release of withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and third-party deductions owed to union members.
Osodeke raised additional issues, such as the cessation of illegal recruitments, the proliferation of public universities and the abuse of existing laws and regulations, and the urgent removal of universities from the treasury single account. He emphasized that these actions are necessary to restore the autonomy of universities.
The ASUU National Executive Council recently convened a meeting at the University of Ibadan from August 17 to 18, 2024, where they conducted a thorough review of ongoing discussions with Federal and State Governments regarding the various challenges hindering the growth of Nigerian universities and affecting university workers’ efforts to foster transformation across the nation.
“Our discussions revealed a deteriorating situation regarding living and working conditions within universities, compounded by a lack of government follow-through on previous promises,” Osodeke stated. “We have observed an alarming trend where experienced scholars are leaving for countries that offer lesser resources but value their expertise.”
Concerns were raised about the Government’s apparent indifference to the urgent need for reform, as well as a fixation on bureaucratic procedures that impede progress. The union expressed deep disappointment that many long-standing university issues, which ASUU has sought to address over the last decade, remain unresolved. Chief among these are the review and signing of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement and necessary funding to support impactful reforms.
In light of these discussions, ASUU has taken a firm stance, condemning the slow pace of government intervention and demanding that all outstanding issues be addressed within the specified 21-day period. They plan to reconvene after this timeframe to decide on further actions if necessary.
The union remains committed to fostering national dialogue while rejecting divisive factors that undermine unity and collective well-being among the Nigerian populace.
