The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a fresh 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding immediate resolution of several long-standing issues or risk renewed industrial action.
In a statement on Wednesday, ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, emphasized the union’s frustration over the government's failure to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, which has been a major source of recurring conflicts.
The union while calling for the release of salaries withheld during the 2022 strike, among other demands warned that the government's inability to address these critical issues could lead to industrial disharmony, stressing that ASUU should not be blamed for any disruptions in academic activities.
The union's list of demands includes:
Finalization of the renegotiated 2009 agreement between ASUU and the government.
Immediate release of salaries withheld from ASUU members during the 2022 strike.
Resolution of concerns regarding the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which has been a point of
contention between the union and the government. ASUU has advocated for replacing IPPIS with its internally developed University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).
Payment of outstanding third-party deductions, such as cooperative contributions and check-off dues.
Implementation of the 2021 agreement on earned academic allowances and proper funding of public universities, which has been included in the 2023 federal budget.
The union also addressed the proliferation of universities by state and federal governments, expressing concerns over inadequate funding for existing institutions and poor governance structures.
ASUU underscored that the ongoing wage increases of 25-35% for university staff are not a substitute for renegotiating and implementing the 2009 agreement.
According to Osodeke, the government's failure to conclude this agreement, along with bureaucratic delays and inadequate financial provisions, continues to exacerbate the crises in Nigeria’s public universities.
ASUU has consistently maintained that the government's claim of insufficient funds is unfounded, citing substantial revenues from the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira, which have significantly increased federal allocations. The union views the government’s actions as a lack of political will, rather than a financial constraint.
Despite previous efforts by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, to mediate and resolve the issues through multiple meetings, Osodeke noted that no meaningful progress has been made. The union’s dissatisfaction with the government's response was evident during a meeting held on September 19, where it resolved to issue the new 14-day ultimatum.