ASUU has accused Tinubu Government of forcing imminent nationwide strike.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of deliberately pushing Nigerian lecturers into another nationwide strike.
The allegation was made on Monday by the union’s Benin Zone, which comprises 10 universities, during a press conference held at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State.
Speaking on behalf of the zone, Coordinator Prof. Monday Igbafen warned that the Federal Government should be held responsible for any imminent shutdown of public universities, citing its refusal to honour agreements and worsening conditions in the system.
“We want Nigerians to understand that ASUU is not to blame but the Federal Government, whose actions and inactions are deliberately pushing the university system towards paralysis,” Igbafen said.
The union outlined lingering issues including:
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Non-signing of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement
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Failure to implement improved conditions of service
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Withholding of salaries and promotion arrears
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Inadequate funding of universities
Igbafen lamented that since the suspension of the last strike in October 2022, the government has failed to fulfill its promises, leaving lecturers under poor salary structures for over 16 years. He accused top officials of neglecting public universities because their children study abroad.
He further warned that Nigeria’s higher education system was at a critical breaking point, urging students, parents, labour unions, civil society, and other stakeholders to pressure the government to honor its commitments.
“Without urgent intervention, the decay in the education sector will only deepen, and Nigerians must hold the government accountable,” he stressed.