The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the Federal Government to engage with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to prevent a potential strike.
NANS Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde, emphasized that a strike at this time would be ill-advised, given the current situation.
“We are asking the Federal Government to meet with ASUU and discuss with them because ASUU strike at this point in time is not advisable,” Babatunde said.
ASUU recently issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve several pressing issues. The union is seeking the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike action, and payment of outstanding third-party deductions.
Additionally, ASUU is demanding funding for the revitalization of public universities, payment of Earned Academic Allowances, and addressing the proliferation of universities by federal and state governments. The union is also seeking the implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities, reversal of the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils, and adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution as a replacement for IPPIS.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed frustration with the government’s lack of commitment and delay tactics, stating that these actions were fuelling a crisis in the public university system. The union has consulted with various stakeholders and is calling on well-meaning Nigerians to urge the government to address these issues.
The union has given the government an additional 14 days, beginning from September 23, 2024, to resolve these issues. Failure to do so may lead to industrial disharmony, for which ASUU should not be held responsible.
ASUU’s decision to issue an ultimatum follows the government’s failure to satisfactorily address the union’s concerns. The potential strike has create fear and concerns among students, parents, and education stakeholders, who are urging both parties to find a resolution.
