The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said it has reached conclusion on the planned nationwide strike
The union declared that there is no going back on its planned strike action since the federal government refused to meet its demands.
ASUU noted that the recent release of N55.5 billion to the universities by the federal government towards fulfilling parts of the contents of the Memorandum of Action signed with the union may not be enough to stop the looming industrial action by the union.
ASUU said the only condition to avoid another strike is for the federal government to “immediately sign the renegotiated agreement document completed since May 2021 and also end the evil regime of IPPIS and replace same with UTAS.
The union disclosed this in a statement signed by the coordinator of the zone, Adelaja Odukoya at the end of its South-west zonal meeting at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to ASUU, part of the conditions to avert the strike is for the government “to immediately end the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for universities and sign the renegotiated agreement document completed in May 2021.”
The union accused the federal government of a deliberate attempt “to further entrench the impoverishment of Nigerian academics and public universities in the country,” adding that “Unfortunately, our country has in place a representative of the ruling class that continues to demonstrate, without any atom of remorse, the penchant not to honour agreements reached with our Union, and indeed their overall pledge to the Nigerian people.”
The new threat is coming almost a year the union suspended its nine-month prolonged industrial action, which paralysed academic activities across the universities in the country.
DAILY GIST reported that the union had commenced zonal and branches consultation to begin nationwide strike.
President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke said the decision was reached after about three days marathon meeting of its National Executive Council.
This is coming after the expiration of its three weeks strike notice to the federal government.
Recall that the union had issued a three- week strike notice to the federal government to address all it’s demands.
ASUU’ s grievances include unpaid earned academic allowance and non-implementation of universities revitalisation fund.
ASUU had held several meetings with the federal government which have apparently yielded no results leading to the latest strike notice issued by the University lecturers.
