The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called for urgent resuscitation of the university system before it breaks down totally.
According to ASUU, universities are collapsing due to government’s failure to address outstanding issues with the union.
It called on stakeholders to prevail on Federal and state governments to address outstanding issues with the union to avert unnecessary industrial crisis in an already weak system.
ASUU Chairman at the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUED), Oyo State, Dr. Michael Ojo, during a rally, said outstanding issues with the government include release of funds for the revatalisation of public universities, illegal dissolution of Governing Councils in federal and state varsities, and release of balance of three and half months withheld salaries of union members.
He added: “Others are release of unpaid salaries of adjunct staff and staff on sabbatical capacity, unpaid arrears of earned academic allowance, renegotiation of FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement, proliferation of universities, and outstanding salaries and promotion arrears of members among others.”
Ojo urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately approve release of funds for the continuation of critical projects in universities campuses across the country. He also demanded full payment of all entitlements of ASUU members, saying the ‘no work, no pay’ policy introduced by government was a breach of International Labour Law.
He said: “The union condemns the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils in universities, and appeals to government at all levels to allow universities to operate in accordance with the law establishing them.
“We appeal to government to pay witheld salaries of our members who are on sabbatical or adjunct capacity and replace IPPIS with UTAS. The union is not happy with the silence of the federal and state governments on issues that have caused many avoidable deaths.
“The union urges President Tinubu to set in motion process that will lead to a review and signing of the Jimi Briggs-led renegotiated draft agreement as a mark of goodwill and assured hope for Nigerians public universities.”
The ASUU in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has kicked against the government’s failure to honour the 2021 agreement.
Members, during a peaceful protest on campus yesterday, warned that another nationwide strike is imminent except urgent attention is given to the 2021 draft agreement.
According to the Chairman, Prof. Anthony Odiwe, the government is yet to address many of the issues that force the union to embark on strike.
He also said the union, in the last one year, has not officially met with President Tinubu since he became the president.
“The union is very open and hopeful that President Tinubu would be favourably disposed in addressing the issues, especially with his posture and utterances, strikes will be a thing of the past in our system.”