The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a fresh strike notice to the Federal Government of Nigeria, stating that the union will embark on a nationwide strike in 21 days. This decision was confirmed on Monday in Abuja, following a meeting of the National Executives Council (NEC) of ASUU, which was held at the University of Ibadan in Oyo State.
According to sources, a copy of the notice will be sent to the Federal Government on Monday through the Federal Ministries of Labour and Education, as stipulated by labour law. The source emphasized that the union is not giving the government an ultimatum but rather a notice, which means that the union will commence strike action after the 21-day notice period has elapsed.
This development comes after months of threats by ASUU to embark on strike, citing reasons such as the non-implementation of agreements reached with the federal government. In a meeting with ASUU members on June 26, 2024, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, intervened to avert a strike in the tertiary education sector. However, despite agreements reached during the meeting, the federal government has failed to implement them, prompting ASUU to issue the fresh strike notice.
The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, explained that the union’s demands include the implementation of the 2009 re-negotiated agreements, which have been pending for almost six years. He also noted that the federal government has failed to pay the union’s accumulated academic allowances for over six years, despite promises to do so. Furthermore, the government has failed to honour its agreement to pay the Needs Assessment Report, which aims to raise N200 billion yearly for five years.
Prof. Osodeke emphasized that the union will take action if the federal government fails to implement the agreements reached, highlighting the union’s commitment to ensuring that every action taken is in accordance with labour law.
