ASUU initiated peaceful campus protest over unmet demands

By Diafa Doubra,

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday staged peaceful protests across various campuses in Nigeria, warning that a total strike may be imminent if the Federal Government continues to ignore their demands.

The lecturers, who carried placards with inscriptions such as “Respect our agreement”and “Save our universities”, said their patience was running thin after months of unfulfilled promises. ASUU noted that despite several meetings and negotiations, the government has failed to honor agreements on funding for universities, improved welfare for lecturers, and the payment of outstanding allowances.

At the University of Lagos, protesters marched around the campus chanting solidarity songs, while at the University of Ibadan, lecturers addressed students on the need to support the struggle for a better education system. Similar demonstrations were recorded in Abuja, Kano, Enugu, and other parts of the country.

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, in a statement, said the protests were meant to draw attention to the plight of Nigeria’s public universities. He stressed that the government’s delay in fulfilling its part of the bargain is crippling the sector and pushing more academics to leave the country.

He warned that if nothing concrete is achieved by the end of negotiations scheduled for August 28, the union would have no option but to embark on a nationwide strike.

Students, who joined in solidarity at some campuses, expressed fears that another strike could disrupt their academic calendar, but many acknowledged that the lecturers’ grievances were genuine.

With the protests gaining momentum, all eyes are now on the Federal Government to see whether it will act swiftly to avert yet another shutdown of Nigerian universities.