The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a fresh warning of a possible nationwide strike, accusing the Federal Government of failing to honour agreements on the revitalisation and proper funding of Nigeria’s public universities.
Addressing reporters at the University of Jos on Thursday, ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, said lecturers have endured more than two years of broken promises and government inaction despite repeated appeals.
He listed unresolved issues to include the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, outstanding salary arrears, withheld promotions, and poor welfare for retired lecturers.
“The general public should also note that ASUU has written several letters to the FGN drawing its attention to the need to resolve this crisis amicably. Lamentably, the FGN has always turned a deaf ear to all our pleas.
“As always, it is the FGN that has consistently pushed our union to embark on a strike action, and it is clear that ASUU may have no other option than to press the FGN to listen to our demands and do the needful,” Piwuna said.
The ASUU chief also rejected the government’s proposed tertiary institutions staff support fund loan scheme, describing it as a “trap.”
“Our members do not need loans. What we need is the implementation of agreements that will improve our purchasing power. Government is still owing us three months’ salaries, yet they are asking us to borrow money,” he said.
ASUU further criticised the expansion of universities without sustainable funding, warning that the trend has weakened standards and affected global rankings. On pensions, the union lamented that professors who served for over 40 years now receive as little as ₦150,000 monthly despite inflation and high living costs.
The union said it is awaiting the outcome of a government meeting scheduled for August 28 before making a final decision, but disclosed that members will hold rallies across campuses next week to express their frustrations.
“Time is running out. We cannot continue to wait endlessly while the future of Nigerian universities is destroyed,” Piwuna warned.