The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve several unresolved issues affecting the public university system.
ASUU’s demands include the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021 and the release of withheld salaries resulting from the 2022 strike.
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In a statement on Wednesday, ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed frustration over what he described as the government’s lack of commitment and delay tactics. He noted that these actions are aggravating the crisis in the public university system.
“In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, September 23, 2024, during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union,” the statement read.
He added, “The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from the government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud.”
ASUU is also demanding the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). Additionally, they are calling for the payment of outstanding third-party deductions, including check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
The union’s other demands include funding for the revitalization of public universities, as partially outlined in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances.
Further issues raised by ASUU involve the proliferation of universities by both federal and state governments, the implementation of visitation panel reports, the reversal of the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) to replace IPPIS.
