THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has handed the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum, warning of a possible nationwide strike if longstanding issues affecting the university system remain unresolved.
The decision was reached at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held yesterday at the University of Abuja.
In a statement signed by ASUU’s National President, Chris Piwuna, the union accused the government of neglecting public universities and consistently ignoring its demands.
ASUU recalled that in August, lecturers across federal and state universities staged rallies on their campuses to draw attention to the sector’s challenges, but said the government failed to respond.
“It is now clear that both the federal and state governments have developed a habit of paying little or no attention to the education sector, especially the welfare of university academics,” the union said.
If the government fails to act within the ultimatum period, ASUU said it would first embark on a two-week warning strike before commencing a total and indefinite shutdown of academic activities.
The union listed unresolved issues, including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, sustainable funding for universities, revitalisation projects, cases of victimisation at LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and FUTO, as well as unpaid salary arrears of 25 to 35 percent, promotion arrears spanning four years, and unremitted third-party deductions.
ASUU stressed that the Federal Government has both the capacity and financial strength to fix the nation’s universities, urging Nigerians—especially parents, students, traditional and religious leaders, and other stakeholders—to press the government into action.
The union reminded the public that it had earlier warned of a looming strike, citing years of broken promises and failure by the government to implement agreements on revitalising public universities.