The striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday, September 5, 2022, refuted the claim made by the Federal Government condemning ASUU for continuing with its nationwide strike action after acceding to their demands.
The ASUU Chairman of the University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Ayo Akinwole, who revealed this asked Nigerians to disregard the lies of the Federal Government, saying that the government is far from meeting any of the union’s seven demands.
He said, “If ASUU does not go on this struggle, there will be no university for new people to attend. In the last twenty-five years, Federal Government will not spend money on their university unless ASUU goes on strike. Does that show they are responsible? I am also a parent and my children are home with me. Most lecturers have to spend their money on their students’ projects for some students to graduate. I could give you the numbers of some of my students who can tell you how much I have had to support their projects. Lecturers retain Nigerian public universities with their blood. But it is right for Nigerians to say they should die on the job. I am saying they are owing us over eight years of verified earned academic allowances. Is it ASUU only that is on strike? Some sectors (research institutes) of the nation have been on strike for 13months and the government has been paying their salaries. Is it an offence to be a lecturer in a Nigerian university? What led to the strike? It is non-responsiveness of government that led to the strike.”
He pointed out that the government lied to the union severally and that the Buhari government instead of paying 220 billion naira meant for the 2014 revitalisation fund only paid 50 billion naira to over 50 universities in the last seven years.
He said the government has to pay the balance of 170billion to university management.
The ASUU chairman further stated that UTAS has proven to be better than IPPIS.
