The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve some lingering issues dating as far back as 2009, else, it will be forced to declare indefinite strike action.
This decision is contained in a press statement issued on Monday, September 23, 2024, titled, “The looming industrial crisis and government’s seeming indifference”.
In the statement signed by ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke listed issues to be resolved including conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021, the release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries due to the 2022 strike action, the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions, funding for the revitalisation of public universities, partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, the proliferation of universities by federal and state governments, implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities, illegal dissolution of governing councils, and University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement of IPPIS.”
According to the statement, “The leadership of ASSUU met to review the government’s response on Thursday, 19th September 2024 and noted with regrets, that the government’s failure to fully implement the Memorandum of Understanding/Actions (MoUs/MOAs) arising from the FGN/ASUU Agreement of 2009, particularly between 2013 and 2023, had continued to exacerbate cries in public universities.”
It stated further, “In particular, the government’s failure to conclude the renegotiation of the FGN-ASUU Agreement that has lingered for upward of seven years and implemented the Agreement has not helped the matters, especially given the current economic realities in the country. Government’s wage awards should not and cannot replace the finalisation of the draft FGN-ASUU Agreement package which was etched on collective bargaining principles.”
Also angering the union is the refusal of the government to address non-monetary issue such as the removal of universities from IPPIS, despite a presidential directive and a court order.
The union further echoed his displeasure over the government’s failure to implement the recommendations of visitation panels and amend the National Universities Commission (NUC) Act to prevent the proliferation of public universities, despite claiming a lack of funds to support the existing institutions. This the union described as not only alarming, but embarrassing..
The union claimed, “What has become clear from recent engagement is that the current government has continued with the old antics, characterised by bureaucratic bottlenecks, time-buying tactics, denial of documentations, and lack of budgetary provisions to confound and complicate matters.. It is a fact that funds were allocated for payment of EAA and revitalisation of public universities in the 2023 budget. It is also true that the presidential directive on moving academics out of the IPPIS platform has not been heeded for close to one year! Our union shall not sit idly and watch agents of government undermine its resolve to catter for the welfare of its members and protect the integrity of the university system through these and similar acts of provocation.”
The union holds that the government has decided not to settle all the outstanding owing the academic staff claiming that it has enough to do so if there is a political will. “The substantial inflows from subsidy removal and devaluation of the Nair, translating to the humongous monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements to the three tiers of government make nonsense of the outlandish claims”, it added..
The union condemned the government for not prioritise the welfare and well-being of Nigerians academics.
Stressing its believe in the principle of dialogue and collective bargaining, the union condemned the government’s continued use oof empty promises, non-comital attitude, and delay tactics, which if not quickly redress, will result into crisis in the public universities.
“Therefore, we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the government to address the outstanding issues … The Nigerian ruling class should stop paying lip service to funding public education, which they benefitted from in their days….. 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, 23rd September 2024 during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union. The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crises in the bud”, the Union concluded.
ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the body is seeking the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021.
It also demanded the release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike action, and expressed frustration with the government’s lack of commitment and delay tactics.
It stated that these actions were generating a 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 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 said
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, and the payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
