The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced the mobilisation of its members for a nationwide industrial action, signalling an impending crisis in Nigeria’s public university system.
The union is currently engaging its chapters across the country to garner consensus and support for the strike, which stems from the Federal Government’s alleged failure to meet critical demands outlined in existing agreements.
Key Reasons for the Strike Mobilisation
Although the union is yet to announce a commencement date, the decision to mobilise follows the expiration of the ultimatum issued to the Federal Government. The primary issues driving the planned strike include:
- Non-release of Revitalisation Funds: The government’s failure to release the agreed-upon funds for the revitalisation of public universities.
- Failure to Renegotiate the 2009 Agreement: The protracted delay and failure to fully renegotiate the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, which covers staff welfare, working conditions, and university autonomy.
- Payment Backlogs and IPPIS: Outstanding issues surrounding salary arrears, earned academic allowances (EAA), and the government’s continued insistence on using the controversial Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPIS), which ASUU rejects in favour of its own proposed University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).
Union’s Stance
ASUU insists that the planned strike is a necessary measure to force the government to honour signed agreements and prevent the total collapse of the university system.
The union’s leadership is expected to communicate the outcome of the mobilisation efforts and the final decision on the strike date in the coming days.
