The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused former Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, of disrupting over five years of negotiations between ASUU and the Nigerian Government in 2021.
ASUU National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, made this claim during a press conference at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umudike. He expressed disappointment that instead of securing an agreement after years of negotiation, the document was abandoned for reasons unknown.
Professor Osodeke also gave the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to address unresolved issues raised by ASUU. If these demands are not met, he warned that the union would take necessary actions to achieve their objectives.
At the press conference, Professor Osodeke was joined by other ASUU leaders, including the ASUU Coordinator for the Calabar Zone, Comrade Happiness Uduk, and the ASUU Chairman for the Owerri Zone, Professor Denis Aribodor. They highlighted several ongoing issues with the government, including:
1. Review and Signing of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement: ASUU wants the government to review and sign the renegotiated agreement from 2009 to address lingering issues affecting university lecturers.
2. Funding for Public Universities: The union is demanding increased funding for public universities, including an emergency revitalization fund, to improve infrastructure and learning conditions.
3. Payment of Outstanding Allowances: ASUU is calling for the payment of earned academic allowances that have been delayed, as well as the immediate release of withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and deductions from members’ pay.
4. Removal from IPPIS: The union wants university lecturers to be removed from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), arguing that it violates university autonomy. They also demand the removal of universities from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system.
5. Opposition to New Universities: ASUU criticized the government for establishing new universities while existing ones are underfunded. The union claims that funds meant for sustaining public universities are being diverted.
Professor Osodeke noted that despite a directive from the Federal Executive Council in December 2023, university lecturers have not been removed from the IPPIS by the Accountant General of the Federation.
ASUU’s President criticized the government for its lack of investment in education. He pointed out that while the government is willing to spend N150 billion on a new presidential jet and N90 billion on religious pilgrimages, only N10 billion is allocated for student loans. He described this as a clear misplacement of priorities.
Osodeke also lamented the low salaries of university lecturers, which have not been reviewed since 2009. He noted that Nigeria is the only country in West Africa where university lecturers are poorly paid, leading many of the nation’s best minds to seek jobs abroad, even in unstable regions like Sudan.
ASUU condemned the alleged victimization of its members at several universities, including Kogi State University and Lagos State University, for demanding their rights. The union urged the governors of the affected states to address these issues and recall the dismissed lecturers, warning of possible actions if their demands are not met.
Osodeke warned that the government’s failure to address ASUU’s demands could lead to further disruptions in the academic calendar. He called on Nigerians to pressure the government to resolve these issues quickly to avoid negative consequences.
ASUU warned that if the government does not act, it should be held responsible for any actions the union takes. The union emphasized that the government’s continued neglect of its responsibilities and the harsh economic conditions faced by Nigerians could lead to more unrest and instability in the country.
