FG Forms Task Teams to Prevent ASUU Strike
The Federal Ministry of Education has announced proactive measures to prevent another strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Speaking to our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday, the ministry’s Director of Press, Folasade Biriowo, confirmed that teams have been put in place to address ASUU's concerns.
"I assure you that everything is being done to avert the strike. The minister has already mobilized teams, so we are confident the situation will be resolved," Biriowo stated.
Last week, ASUU issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve several unresolved issues. Failing this, the union indicated it would embark on another industrial action.
ASUU’s demands include finalizing the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021, releasing withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, and addressing unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct roles affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The union is also calling for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances and other outstanding deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions, as well as increased funding for the revitalization of public universities as outlined in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.
Additional demands include reversing the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils, adopting the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for IPPIS, and addressing the proliferation of universities by both Federal and State Governments.
ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed frustration at the government's perceived lack of commitment and delays in resolving these issues. In a statement issued last Wednesday, Osodeke warned that continued government inaction was exacerbating the crisis in the public university system.
"In light of this, ASUU has extended the ultimatum by an additional 14 days, starting from Monday, September 23, 2024. The government must concretely address all outstanding issues to the satisfaction of the union's members. ASUU will not be held responsible for any industrial disruption that may arise if the government fails to act," Osodeke said.
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