The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning, indicating that its members are on the brink of embarking on a comprehensive strike due to the federal government’s repeated failure to fulfil agreements reached with the union.
Addressing the media in Makurdi, Benue State, ASUU-Nsukka Zone Chairman, Comrade Raphael Amokaha, expressed deep concern over the government’s disregard for agreements and directives related to the welfare of university staff.
One of the key grievances cited by the union is the government’s persistence in using the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS), despite directives from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to remove ASUU from the platform.
”Instead, the introduction of the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS) has been in use which indicates a reluctance to adopt the homegrown University Transparency Accountability Solutions (UTAS) proposed by ASUU,” Amokaha lamented.
According to him, certain individuals benefiting from IPPIS are resistant to relinquishing control, leading to the introduction of alternative systems.
ASUU urged the government to identify and hold accountable those perpetuating this obstruction for personal gain.
Additionally, ASUU lamented the non-release of withheld salaries spanning eight months, the delay in payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), and other outstanding entitlements.
The union also criticized the illegal dissolution of some university Governing Councils, compounding the list of contentious issues.
ASUU emphasized the government’s failure to uphold agreements reached through collective bargaining since the 2009 Agreement, despite numerous negotiation attempts.
The union called on the government to prioritize the resolution of the issues to prevent an impending strike, urging President Bola Tinubu to fulfil his promise of eliminating strikes in universities.
In addition to honouring agreements, ASUU stressed the urgent need for adequate funding for both state and federal universities, echoing UNESCO’s recommendation of allocating at least 26 per cent of annual budgets to education.
Recall that in February, ASUU sounded the alarm over the increasing number of Nigerian academics facing life-threatening ailments and stress-related health issues due to deteriorating working conditions and pauperization.
The union attributed the situation to unfulfilled promises by the government and the challenging economic climate in the country.
Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, the National President of ASUU, expressed deep concern during a press conference held at the end of the National Executive Council meeting of the union at Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State.
