BREAKING: ASUU Issues 21-Day Strike Notice to Fed Govt

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 21-day strike notice to the Federal Government, signaling its intention to embark on a nationwide strike. This development was confirmed by sources within the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, following a meeting held at the University of Ibadan.

According to reports obtained, the notice was issued after the NEC meeting and is expected to be formally communicated to the Federal Ministries of Labour and Education.

“It is not an ultimatum but a strike notice. We are giving them 21 days, after which we shall embark on strike. Our aim in issuing this notice is to ensure that all our actions are in accordance with the law, as required under labor regulations,” a source within ASUU disclosed.

This move follows previous threats by ASUU to initiate industrial action due to the government’s failure to implement agreements reached in previous negotiations.

On June 26, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, convened a meeting with ASUU to address ongoing issues affecting universities and to avert the looming strike. However, ASUU’s National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated that despite the meeting, the government has yet to fulfill its commitments.

“At the meeting convened by the Minister of Education, we agreed to reconvene after two weeks to assess the progress made by the government. If there is no tangible implementation of the agreements, we will have to determine our next course of action,” Osodeke said.

Key demands from ASUU include the non-implementation of the 2009 renegotiated agreements, which have remained unaddressed for over six years. These agreements encompass a range of issues, including accumulated academic allowances and the revitalization of universities.

“The academic allowances due to our members have been outstanding for more than six years, with no action taken by the government. Additionally, we agreed on the Needs Assessment Report, which recommended raising N200 billion annually for five years to upgrade our universities. Since 2013, only one payment has been made,” Osodeke explained.

He also raised concerns about the proliferation of new universities, criticizing the government’s approval of additional institutions without providing the necessary funding to operate them effectively.

As the 21-day notice period begins, the Federal Government faces mounting pressure to address ASUU’s demands and avert a strike that could once again disrupt the nation’s higher education system.