Education, News

ASUU Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government Amid Ongoing Concerns

Published by Tope Fakinlede on September 25th, 2024.

ASUU Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government Amid Ongoing Concerns

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 14-day deadline to address critical issues or face potential strike action.

In a statement released on Wednesday, ASUU President Professor Emmanuel Osodeke expressed frustration over what he described as the government’s use of delay tactics to avoid meeting its obligations. He emphasized that the current state of public universities is dire, largely due to the government’s handling of union matters.

ASUU’s demands include the release of delayed salaries for its members stemming from the 2022 strike, as well as the completion of revisions to the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s recommendations from 2021. The union is also seeking the resolution of unpaid third-party deductions, such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions, along with outstanding salaries for sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct staff affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Furthermore, ASUU is calling for funding from the 2023 Federal Government Budget for the revitalization of public universities and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances. They are urging the government to halt the establishment of new universities, implement visitation panel recommendations, restore unlawfully dissolved Governing Councils, and replace IPPIS with the University Transparency and Accountability Solution.

Osodeke noted, “Given these issues, ASUU grants the Nigerian Government an additional 14 days, following a previous 21-day period, starting from September 23, 2024, to resolve all outstanding matters satisfactorily.” He added that any failure to take this opportunity to prevent further conflict would not be the union’s fault.