By Zainab Bakare

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has added 14 more days to the already issued 21-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government to resolve lingering issues that might lead to strike action.

In a press release dated 23rd September 2024, signed by the national president of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke, the union highlighted the underlying crisis that led to the 21-day ultimatum, which commenced on 23rd September 2024, and could subsequently result in strike action.

The union, in the press release, outlined the issues that remain in contention with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The issues in contention include (a) conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021; (b) release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries due to the 2022 strike action; (c) release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS); (d) release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions; (e) funding for the revitalisation of public universities, partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget; (f) payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget; (g) proliferation of universities by Federal and State Governments; (h) implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities; (i) illegal dissolution of Governing Councils; and (j) adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for IPPIS.”

The union expressed its displeasure with the government’s response to their letter dated 20th August 2024, in which the ultimatum was communicated and these issues highlighted. ASUU is particularly dissatisfied with the government’s failure to implement the Memoranda of Understanding arising from the FGN/ASUU Agreement of 2009, which has continued to exacerbate the crisis in public universities.

The union also highlighted the government’s refusal to address non-monetary issues, such as the removal of universities from IPPIS, despite a presidential directive and a court order. It further noted the government’s failure to implement the recommendations of visitation panels and amend the National Universities Commission (NUC) Act to prevent the proliferation of public universities.

The union reiterated its displeasure and vowed not to allow government agents to undermine its resolve.

“What has become clear from recent engagements is that the current government has continued with the old antics, characterised by bureaucratic bottlenecks, time-buying tactics, denial of documentation, and lack of budgetary provisions, to confound and complicate matters. It is a fact that funds were allocated for the payment of EAA and the revitalisation of public universities in the 2023 budget. It is also true that the Presidential directive on removing academics from the IPPIS platform has not been heeded for close to a year! Our union shall not sit idly by and watch government agents undermine its resolve to cater for the welfare of its members and protect the integrity of the university system through these and similar acts of provocation.”

The union reiterated its belief in dialogue and collective bargaining and, therefore, resolved to give the government an additional 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21-day ultimatum. The union hopes the government will avert the looming crisis and maintains that it will not be held responsible for any industrial action that might arise from the government’s failure.

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