The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday declared a four-week “total and comprehensive” strike.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, made the declaration at a news conference in Lagos after the union’s two days National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Osodeke said the strike, which takes effect from Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, would last for an initial period of four weeks.
He said: “NEC resolved to embark on the four-week roll-over total and comprehensive strike as government has failed to implement the Memorandum of Action it signed with the ASUU in December 2020.”
He said the union also resolved to embark on the strike over the forceful payment of ASUU members’ salaries and emoluments with the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS).
According to him, the non-adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution(UTAS) has continued to shortchange the union members.
Osodeke said the union loathed disruption of academic activities and was not insensitive to concerns of stable academic calendar in public universities.
He, however, sought the understanding and support of stakeholders to make the government more responsive to issues of health and education.
“We invite all lovers of education to join our struggle for a greater Nigeria. Nigerian politicians keep proliferating educational institutions without prioritising education.
“ASUU will not relent in its historic responsibility of advocating for an improved university system.
“This is because it holds the key to our collective prosperity and better future for our children and our children’s children; so, let us work together to fix it,’’ Osodere said.
The ASUU had expressed grievances over the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil some of the agreements it made with the union in 2009.
The union on Nov. 15, 2021, had given the Federal Government a three-week ultimatum over the failure to meet the demands.
‘Valentine’s Day gift’, students sad as ASUU begins four-week strike
Students have lamented the declaration of a four-week strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
They described the strike as an “unpleasing Valentine’s Day gift”.
ASUU on Monday declared a four-week “total and comprehensive” strike.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, made the declaration at a press conference in Lagos after the union’s two-day National Executive Council meeting.
He said the strike takes effect from Monday, February 14, 2022, would last for an initial period of four weeks.
One of them, Kachi, tweeted, “Valentine’s Day breakfast. Bad gift’.
“This is ASUU Valentine gift to all Nigerian students,” Steve Abia, added.
Inemesit Ndueso said, “What a touching piece of news for Nigerian students! This Valentine’s gift from the FG and ASUU is uncommon.”
Some of the students also asked ASUU to be decisive in the action.
They complained of a situation where a strike is suspended and another one is declared for the same purpose within a short interval.
Amafaye Winnie said, “Why is the Education of our children not important to this present administration. Federal Government, please settle them for the betterment of our country.”
Oladosu Akeem said, “The money used to channel rails to the Niger Republic is enough to improve the quality of our universities. The government of today only focuses on what has meaning to them. Neglecting education left Nigeria into the chaotic condition we find it today.”
Abdurrazak Yahaya added, “The government gives priority to nonprofitable projects through exaggerated contract amounts, while our universities were left to decay and the lecturers treated as beggars if compared to other staff in many federal ministries and commissions.”
“Some professors should stop rigging elections for these politicians! If not, we’ll keep experiencing this same bad leadership!” Timba Ayuba warned.
“I wish I could get out of this country. ASUU and the Federal Government of Nigeria are dragging students back,” Alex Ugwu said.
