The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding urgent resolution of several outstanding issues affecting the public university system.
ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed the union’s deep frustration over the government’s consistent delay in addressing these concerns, warning that the failure to act could further escalate the crisis in the education sector.
At the forefront of ASUU’s demands is the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, specifically based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021.
This agreement, which has been under discussion for years, holds the potential to address long-standing issues surrounding the working conditions and remuneration of academic staff.
Additionally, ASUU is insisting on the immediate release of salaries that were withheld during the 2022 strike action. This particularly affects staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments, whose payments were withheld due to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) implemented by the government.
Another crucial issue is the settlement of outstanding third-party deductions, such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions. These deductions, owed to staff for some time, remain unresolved, further straining the relationship between the union and the government.
ASUU is also demanding increased funding for the revitalization of public universities, a commitment that was partly included in the 2023 Federal Government Budget but has not been adequately implemented.
Closely related to this is the union’s call for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, which were also captured in the budget but remain unpaid.
In a statement, Osodeke emphasized that ASUU has given the government ample time to act, referencing an earlier 21-day notice that was ignored.
He stressed that the additional 14-day period, beginning on Monday, September 23, 2024, is a final window for the government to address all lingering issues to the satisfaction of the union’s membership.
He warned that the union should not be blamed for any industrial actions or disruptions that may follow if the government fails to seize this opportunity to prevent the looming crisis.
Beyond these immediate concerns, ASUU has also highlighted the alleged victimization of over 200 of its members across various universities, which the union sees as part of a broader pattern of suppression.
Furthermore, ASUU has raised concerns about university governance, calling for the implementation of reports from visitation panels and the reversal of the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils.
The union has also advocated for the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), an alternative payroll system to replace IPPIS, which has been a major point of contention.
