ASUU To Take Decision On Nationwide Strike, Begin Protest Tomorrow

The National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its branches nationwide to conduct a referendum on whether to embark on strike action.

Naija News reports that the union also ordered its chapters to begin protests from within university campuses to their main gates, carrying placards highlighting the plights of lecturers.

A national executive member of ASUU told Daily Sun that each branch had been mandated to convene a congress where members would vote on the proposed industrial action.

He explained that the outcome of the referendums would be forwarded to zonal coordinators before being presented at an NEC meeting for final decision.

“The nationwide congresses will also decide the nature of the strike, whether indefinite or staggered,” the official said.

The union member further disclosed that protests would be held simultaneously in all public universities.

“From the congress, the branches are expected to start the protest against the Federal Government’s non-implementation of the union’s demands through the university to their main gates.

“The branches have been mandated to carry placards with different messages about ASUU members’ plights. At their gates, chairmen and other union members are expected to sensitise the general public about their outstanding demands,” he stated.

Among the lecturers’ grievances are:

• Renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement
• Reinstatement of sacked members in two state universities
• Non-payment of the 25/35 percent salary increment
• Arrears of promotion
• Use of IPPIS to pay members’ salaries

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said the union had run out of patience after more than two years without meaningful progress.

He dismissed the Federal Government’s proposed loan scheme for university workers as a “poisoned chalice,” accusing the Tinubu administration of deliberately delaying renegotiations and failing to address outstanding arrears and revitalisation funds.

“Trust has been destroyed by the government. It is, therefore, up to them to either regain it to avert any strike or allow the strike to go on,” Piwuna warned.