Nigeria: ASUU Warns Of Imminent Strike, Blames Federal Government For Neglect

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nsukka Zone, has warned that another strike may be inevitable due to the Federal Government’s failure to address long-standing issues affecting the nation’s universities.

Zonal Coordinator Raphael Amokaha made this known in a statement issued in Makurdi on Wednesday, expressing the union’s frustration over the government’s inaction.

Amokaha highlighted that since the suspension of the 2022 strike, ASUU has shown restraint in the hopes of an amicable resolution, but the government’s persistent neglect of the education sector is pushing the union toward industrial action once again.

“The Union has bent backwards to avoid industrial disharmony in our public universities by seeking an amicable resolution of the issues in contention,” Amokaha stated, stressing that ASUU’s efforts have been met with indifference.

Reflecting on the 2022 strike, Amokaha noted that the union had no choice but to act after the government dismissed a negotiated agreement in favour of a “take it or leave it” offer. Despite years of negotiations, little progress has been made in resolving the core issues affecting Nigerian universities.

“We were forced into the 2022 strike by the government. What option was available to our union at that time? We had negotiated a reviewed agreement over five years (2017-2022) under three government-appointed negotiation chairmen, yet the government dismissed it and offered a unilateral award,” Amokaha explained.

He further lamented the deterioration of the university system, stating that for over 15 years, there has been no significant improvement in the conditions of Nigerian universities or the welfare of their staff.

Among ASUU’s key demands are the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, the release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike, payment of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical and part-time appointments, and the release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.

Amokaha also called for proper funding of public universities, payment of Earned Academic Allowances, and a halt to the uncontrolled proliferation of universities by both federal and state governments.

He warned that unless the Federal Government takes immediate steps to resolve these lingering issues, ASUU may have no choice but to embark on another strike.

“If we go on strike, the blame lies squarely with the Federal Government,” Amokaha concluded.