The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 21-day notice to the Federal Government, signaling its intention to embark on a nationwide strike if their demands are not met. This development was confirmed by sources within ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) after a meeting at the University of Ibadan on Monday, August 19, 2024.
ASUU’s notice, though not an ultimatum, is a formal warning required by labor laws. “We are giving them 21 days’ notice, after which we shall embark on strike,” an ASUU official explained. The notice will be sent to both the Federal Ministries of Labour and Education, marking the latest step in the ongoing tensions between the union and the government.
The core issue behind this impending strike is the non-implementation of agreements that ASUU and the Federal Government reached several years ago. One of the main points of contention is the non-implementation of the 2009 re-negotiated agreements. ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, emphasized that these agreements have lingered for over six years without any action from the government. This situation has led to mounting frustration among university lecturers across the country.
In addition to the 2009 agreement, ASUU is also demanding payment of accumulated academic allowances that have been owed to their members for more than six years. Despite repeated promises, the government has failed to address this issue, further straining relations between the two sides.
Another significant concern for ASUU is the revitalization fund for Nigerian universities. According to Prof. Osodeke, an agreement was made based on the Needs Assessment Report to raise N200 billion annually for five years to upgrade the country’s universities. However, since 2013, only one payment has been made. This lack of funding has left many universities struggling with outdated facilities and inadequate resources, severely impacting the quality of education in Nigeria.
The issue of proliferating universities without adequate funding is also a major concern for ASUU. Prof. Osodeke pointed out that the government continues to approve the establishment of new universities without providing the necessary financial support to run them. This has led to a situation where many new institutions are set up, but they lack the funds to operate effectively, putting further pressure on the already strained education system.
ASUU’s frustration with the government’s inaction was heightened following a meeting with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on June 26, 2024. During this meeting, the two parties discussed the ongoing issues affecting universities, with the aim of averting the planned strike. However, despite agreeing to reconvene after two weeks to review the progress made by the government, ASUU claims that none of the agreements reached during that meeting have been implemented.
With the 21-day strike notice now in place, the clock is ticking for the Federal Government to address ASUU’s demands. If the government fails to take action within the stipulated time, Nigeria’s public universities could face yet another prolonged shutdown, disrupting the education of thousands of students across the country.
This situation shows the urgent need for the government to engage with ASUU and find lasting solutions to the issues plaguing Nigeria’s university system. Without meaningful progress, the ongoing conflict between ASUU and the government will continue to hinder the development of higher education in the country.
