The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has notified the Federal Government of its intention to embark on a nationwide strike, issuing a 21-day notice.
This decision was made at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Ibadan.
According to sources within the NEC, the notice is not an ultimatum but a requirement under labor laws, ensuring that all actions are taken in accordance with legal procedures.
ASUU had previously threatened to go on strike due to the non-implementation of agreements reached with the federal government. Despite a meeting with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on June 26 to address the issues, the agreements remain unimplemented.
Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the national president of ASUU, stated that the meeting with the Minister of Education resulted in an agreement to reconvene after two weeks to assess the government’s progress. However, the government has yet to implement the agreed-upon measures.
Some of the unmet demands include the non-implementation of the 2009 re-negotiated agreements, which have been pending for over six years. Additionally, academic allowances owed to ASUU members have accumulated for over six years, with no action taken.
Regarding the revitalization fund, ASUU agreed to the Needs Assessment Report, which proposed raising N200 billion yearly for five years. However, only one payment has been made since 2013.
ASUU also demands that the government halt the proliferation of universities, as many new institutions are being approved without sufficient funding to operate effectively.
