ASUU strike grounds academic activities in Nigerian universities

Academic activities were grounded in most public universities across the country on Monday following full compliance by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, with the ongoing two-week warning strike.

reports that ASUU on Monday commenced a two-week warning strike following the expiration of its ultimatum to the government

The renewed face-off between the ASUU and the FG came after negotiations aimed at preventing another prolonged shutdown of public universities failed.

On October 10, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the government was in the final phase of talks with aggrieved lecturers and other university-based unions to resolve outstanding issues related to welfare, funding, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

Alausa noted that the Tinubu administration had made notable progress, including the release of N50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances and the inclusion of N150 billion in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be disbursed in three tranches.

But ASUU disclosed after the meeting that the government presented to them a document that was “totally alien to issues discussed at plenary, particularly the item on conditions of service”.

According to ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna the union’s demands include; Conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021; the release of withheld three-and-half months’ salaries on account of the 2022 strike action; Release of unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments due to the application of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS.

Others include release of outstanding third-party deductions such as pension deductions, check-off dues, and cooperative contributions; Funding for revitalization of public universities and Payment of arrears of 25% – 35% salary award for 12 months.

The union in a statement on Sunday warned its members across the country that any “violation of this strike action will be met with severe sanctions”.