The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has sent a clear message to the Nigerian public, urging citizens to hold the Federal Government accountable if public universities are forced to close due to an impending strike. Despite exhausting all possible measures to prevent the strike, ASUU claims the government has failed to respond sincerely to their concerns.
Government’s Neglect and Looming Strike
On Wednesday, the ASUU-Nsukka Zone issued a statement in Makurdi through its Zonal Coordinator, Raphael Amokaha, titled "Let Good Conscience Prevail." The union recalled the long strike of 2022 and warned of a similar situation brewing.
Among the longstanding issues are the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement, underfunding of universities, and the forced introduction of the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS), which undermines university autonomy. Furthermore, the government has failed to pay Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) included in the 2023 budget, among other unresolved entitlements.
Continuous Efforts to Avoid Strike Action
Since suspending the nationwide strike in October 2022, ASUU has been committed to avoiding further disruption in universities by engaging with both past and present governments. Despite involving the National Industrial Court and attempting various avenues for dialogue, the union believes the government's indifferent attitude stems from a false sense of control over ASUU.
Over the last seven years, ASUU has fought tirelessly to resolve these recurring issues, striving to prevent any further interruption to the academic calendar. However, the government's lack of meaningful response has frustrated these efforts.
Call for Public Support
Raphael Amokaha emphasized that ASUU-Nsukka Zone has done everything within its power to prevent disruption in academic activities. The union now appeals to all public-minded individuals and concerned citizens to join in their efforts to address the pressing issues facing public universities.
University workers, particularly ASUU members, have not seen a salary review in the past fifteen years. Despite organizing multiple protests, press briefings, and town hall meetings, the government has consistently ignored the union's demands.
Lack of Commitment from Government
ASUU criticized the government's half-hearted approach to resolving the crisis. Meetings have been delayed, and government officials have issued non-committal statements, showing a lack of sincere interest in finding solutions.
Referring to the Nigerian President's speech on the 64th Independence Anniversary, ASUU questioned whether a month-long youth conference could ever compensate for the loss of four years of a stable academic calendar. The union stressed that only serious action on education can safeguard the future of Nigeria's youth.
The Need for Commitment to Education
ASUU insists that education must be prioritized if the government truly cares about the future of the nation’s youth. To avert another crisis in public universities and secure a stable future for students, the union urged the government to act responsibly.
Conclusion
Despite dwindling hopes, ASUU remains resilient in its advocacy for positive change. The ASUU-Nsukka Zone has made it clear that if the government forces the union into industrial action, the blame must lie solely with the government.
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