ASUU Joins NLC in Nationwide Strike Demanding Reversal of Anti-Masses Policies

In a significant development, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced its decision to join forces with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in a nationwide industrial action set to commence today, Wednesday, August 2. The united front aims to compel the government to reverse recently implemented policies that have had detrimental effects on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

In a telephone interview with the news men on Monday, ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke confirmed the union’s participation in the planned strike, emphasizing the strong bond between ASUU and the NLC. As fellow members of the labor congress, ASUU stands united with the broader movement to demand justice and fairness for the Nigerian working class.

The NLC has raised several pressing concerns that have driven them to take this drastic action. These concerns include the recent surge in fuel prices, the hike in public school fees, the release of withheld salaries owed to university lecturers and workers, and the increase in value-added tax (VAT). To address these issues, the labor congress has issued a stern seven-day ultimatum to the federal government, urging them to act swiftly and address the plight of the nation’s vulnerable citizens.

In response to the NLC’s planned demonstration, the federal government has cautioned against any actions that would undermine the judiciary’s decisions. The government has asserted that any industrial action taken regarding the fuel subsidy removal could be deemed as contempt of court. Instead, they have urged the NLC to respect the rule of law and allow the court’s processes to proceed unhindered.

Amidst this heightened tension, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to make a national broadcast today at 7 pm. While the statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Strategy, Communication, and Special Duties, Dele Alake, did not specify the broadcast’s content, the timing is significant given the ongoing strike.

As the nation braces for the nationwide strike, the repercussions on the economy and public services are likely to be profound. The government will face immense pressure to address the demands put forth by the NLC and ASUU, and citizens across the country will closely watch how their interests are safeguarded.

Civil society organizations and Nigerians from all walks of life are urged to mobilize and support the labor congress’s efforts to protect the rights and welfare of the Nigerian working class. This unified front aims to send a clear message to the government that anti-poor policies must be reversed for the nation to thrive.

As developments unfold, the nation holds its breath in anticipation, eagerly awaiting the outcome of this united stand by ASUU and the NLC and how it will shape the future trajectory of policies affecting millions of Nigerians.