ASUU Urges Federal Government to Avert University Crisis, Threatens Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a heartfelt plea to President Bola Tinubu to swiftly sign and implement the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, warning that failure to do so could plunge Nigeria’s public universities into a severe crisis.
The union’s Coordinator for the Lagos Zone, Prof. Adelaja Odukoya, conveyed this urgent message during a press briefing held at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.
In his address, Prof. Odukoya emphasized the critical need for the federal government to honour the collective bargaining principles outlined in the International Labour Organization Convention.
He underscored that implementing the agreement would not only salvage the deteriorating state of public universities but also prevent another round of disruptive industrial action by lecturers.
“The delay in signing and implementing the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement since 2021 has severely tested ASUU’s patience,” Prof. Odukoya remarked.
He stressed that the government’s inaction has exacerbated challenges such as inadequate funding, the proliferation of underfunded state and federal universities, irregular payment of salaries, and decaying infrastructure.
Highlighting the union’s grievances, Prof. Odukoya condemned what he described as the politicization of university establishment, pointing out that while existing institutions suffer from neglect, new universities are established primarily for political gain rather than educational enhancement.
“Our union vehemently calls for a review and strengthening of the laws governing the establishment of universities by the National Universities Commission to halt this retrogressive trend,” he asserted.
The ASUU leader also addressed outstanding issues such as withheld salaries and unpaid arrears of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) dating back to 2020, attributing these delays to governmental intransigence and economic challenges facing the nation.
Furthermore, Prof. Odukoya reiterated ASUU’s longstanding opposition to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), labeling it as a conduit for corruption and calling for its complete overhaul in university payroll management.
“The IPPIS remains a stain on our university system, serving the interests of international financial institutions rather than our educational sector,” he declared.
The press conference was attended by ASUU branch chairpersons from various universities in the Lagos Zone, including the University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, and others.
Their presence underscored the solidarity and determination of ASUU in pressing for urgent reforms and fair treatment of university educators.
In conclusion, Prof. Odukoya urged the federal government to prioritize the welfare and operational conditions of public universities, warning that failure to address these issues promptly could lead to dire consequences for the nation’s higher education sector.
