ASUU Shuns FG, Insists on Strike Over Unresolved Demands

By Diafa Doubra,

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has again rejected the Federal Government’s plea to suspend its planned strike action, insisting that the union will not back down until all outstanding agreements are met.

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, in a statement on Monday, said the government has failed to address key issues bordering on the implementation of the 2009 agreement, revitalization funds for public universities, and payment of withheld salaries. He lamented that despite several meetings and assurances from the Ministry of Education, the promises made to university lecturers have remained unfulfilled.

Osodeke accused the government of neglecting the education sector while prioritizing less important expenditures. He emphasized that the strike action is aimed at compelling the government to honor its commitments and rescue the university system from total collapse.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Labour has appealed for calm, urging ASUU to give dialogue another chance to prevent disruption of the academic calendar. However, many students have expressed frustration, fearing yet another prolonged shutdown of universities across the country.