The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has drawn the attention of Nigerians to the ongoing unresolved issues between the union and the Nigerian federal government, which may compel it to resume its strike, previously suspended in 2020.
In a statement issued by ASUU’s Kano-Zone Coordinator, Professor Abdulkadir Muhammad, and shared by the ASUU Chairman of the Federal University Dutse (FUD), Comrade Salim Ahmed, the union criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for not addressing the issues that have led to recurring industrial disharmony in public universities over the past four years.
ASUU highlighted several unmet demands, including the release of outstanding third-party deductions, funding for the revitalization of public universities, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), non-payment of promotion arrears, failure to implement visitation panel reports, and the refusal to adopt the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) software as a replacement for IPPIS.
The union had issued a 21-day ultimatum following a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) in August 2024, urging the government to act on the outstanding issues to prevent another strike.
Despite previous efforts, including notices and mediation attempts involving religious and traditional rulers, ASUU emphasized that the government has remained unyielding, putting the education sector at risk of another industrial crisis.
The union is calling on Nigerians to urge the government to fulfill its commitments and avoid further disruption to the academic calendar.
