ASUU Announces Indefinite Strike, Provides Details

The Nigerian lecturers’ union, ASUU, has expressed frustration with the federal government’s inability to meet its requests. As a result, union members voted to embark on an indefinite strike unless their demands were met and expressed as such.

The professors advised the administration to first keep the pledges it has previously made if it wishes to elicit cooperation from the union.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) announced an indefinite strike on Friday, February 4, in a statement signed by Dr Lazarus Maigoro, chairman of ASUU’s University of Jos branch, according to The Punch.

ASUU has decided to commence an indefinite strike until the federal government complies with its demands.

The lecturers’ organization expressed reservations about the federal government’s ability to overcome the persisting crisis in education, notably in higher education.

The union branded the federal government’s continuous defense of IPPIS as “shameful” in light of alleged fraud in its implementation as detailed in the 2021 report filed to the National Assembly by the Auditor General of the Federation.

FG demonstrated a lack of dedication.

ASUU bemoaned the numerous previous conversations and agreements with the federal government regarding how to restructure the education sector, which the administration has demonstrated a lack of commitment to implementing.

The following is the complete text of the statement:

“In the last one year, our Union has been engaged with the federal government and its officials over demands which, if met, would lift the standard of our battered tertiary institutions, especially the universities.

“The undisputed crisis in our educational sector has met, as with other consequences, nothing but the same response. Our union states very clearly that we appreciate the interest demonstrated by the Nigerian Inter-religion Council with a view to resolving the current impasse.

“However, it is not rational to continue to return to the same physician for the cure of an ailment introduced by him or one in which he has failed to cure or bring relief to his patient.

“From historical experience, we can conclude that NIRECs efforts with agents of government will be more prone to bringing further pain and anguish to the system. This will surely be the case if NIREC’s intervention ends with a palliative solution. This will lead to another phase of the same crisis. For the avoidance of doubt, our Union ASUU, has had several meetings with the Minister of Labour, Officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the NUC, and NITDA and, very recently with the Chief of Staff to the President.

“All these meetings have not calmed our members as the following issues still remain unresolved.

“The recent comments by the spokesman to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina that government will keep to the promises, rings very hollow to us. The government’s pattern of response to the issues is that of a serial promise-breaker. Like an unfaithful spouse, they are unable to match their words with action which is affecting the education sector negatively. We are tired of their deceit and IT IS TIME FOR US TO ACT.

“We want to inform Nigerians, that we are tired of fruitless meetings with the Minister of Labour, NUC Executive Secretary, Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NITDA, and the Chief of Staff to the President. If they ever want us to listen to them, they should first of all act on the promises they have already made.

“In the meantime, we are resolved to proceed on an indefinite and comprehensive strike until fidelity returns to our relationship with the government and our demands are met. We are tired of the back and forth.”