ASUU strike looms over unmet demands

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a fresh strike threat faulting the Federal Government for not meeting any of its demands despite repeated assurances to resolve their age-long differences.

The president of the union, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said apart from the renegotiation team constituted recently to discuss afresh with ASUU, no concrete agreement had been reached.

Osodeke said the union had since concluded its own part of renegotiation with the team, awaiting feedback from the government’s representatives. “It’s been two months now, and the government’s team has not come back to us, let alone sign a new deal. The implication of this development is that the political class does not care about public universities,” he lamented.

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He accused the president Bola Tinubu’s administration of neglecting public tertiary education sub-sector, saying successive governments actually fared better in terms of lecturers’ welfare.

“No single issue has been permanently resolved by this government since it came on board, so, we can boldly say as a union that nothing has changed.

“We are still telling the same old story, whereas the rich keep sending their wards abroad to study and return afterwards to take up the so-called lucrative positions, especially in public establishments, leaving indigent children to suffer.”

Osodeke said this narrative must change if Nigeria is desirous of genuine progress as a country. He, however, disclosed that ASUU members would meet soon to decide on the next line of action.

Meanwhile, the National Association of University Students (NAUS), has urged the Federal Government to productively engage ASUU leaders, as part of efforts to forestall frequent strike actions and disruption of academic programmes.

President of the association, Josiah Oche, pledged to continue the fight for improved funding of universities, improved living conditions, as well as provision of better teaching and learning tools for students.

“This includes pushing for improved facilities, modern libraries, and affordable accommodation for all.

“We must prioritise the well-being of our peers because their mental health is just as important as their academic success,” Oche stated.

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