ASUU Warns of Potential Strike Over Unresolved Issues

By Olakunle Olasanmi, Abuja

Seven public universities in the South-West and South-South regions are considering a strike due to unresolved issues with federal and state governments. This was announced by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Benin Zone during a press conference in Benin City.

The universities involved are the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) in Akungba-Akoko, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology in Okitipupa, Delta State University (DELSU) in Abraka, Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) in Effurun, and the University of Delta in Agbor.

The press conference, titled “On the Unresolved Issues Between Federal, State Governments and ASUU: Government is Begging ASUU to Go on Strike,” was led by Professor Monday Igbafen, the Zonal Coordinator for ASUU Benin Zone.

Professor Igbafen emphasized that the government's failure to address outstanding demands from the union has worsened the working and living conditions of academic staff across these universities. He cited the prolonged nationwide strike from February to October 2022 as a backdrop to these unresolved issues.

Key unresolved issues include the stalled renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, insufficient funding for the revitalization of public universities as per various memorandums of understanding and agreements, and the illegal dissolution of governing councils in federal and state universities. Other issues involve withheld and unpaid salaries due to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), non-release of third-party deductions, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), and the refusal to adopt the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) in place of IPPIS.

Professor Igbafen noted that the federal government has recently reconstituted governing councils after their controversial dissolution, but some state governments remain defiant. The absence of governing councils has led to severe administrative and policy issues, particularly at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), which has been without a governing council for three years.

The union also highlighted cases of victimization of its members at various universities, including Kogi State University (KSU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Lagos State University (LASU), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU). Some members have been unjustly dismissed, while others have had their salaries withheld.

The union condemned the actions of state governments that refuse to allow universities to operate according to established laws. Professor Igbafen warned that the failure to address these issues would likely lead to industrial unrest in public universities.

ASUU has urged the Nigerian public and critical stakeholders to hold the government accountable if the union proceeds with the strike.