FG raises teams in order to avert the ASUU strike

According to the Ministry of Education, efforts are being made to stop the Academic Staff Union of Universities from going on strike again.

This was said by the ministry’s director of press, Folasade Biriowo, in a Sunday interview with our reporter in Abuja. “I promise that every effort is being made to avert the strike from occurring.

I can assure you of it since the minister’s teams are already at work, Birjowo stated.

ASUU had last week given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve several lingering issues, failing which it would proceed on another strike.

Among other things, the varsity lecturers are seeking the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021, as well as the release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike action.

Additionally, ASUU is demanding the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, and the payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.

The union is also seeking funding for the revitalisation of public universities, partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.

Other issues include the proliferation of universities by Federal and State Governments, implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities, reversal of the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution as a replacements by the for IPPIS.

ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke in a statement issued last Wednesday, 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.

“In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, 23rd September 2024 during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union. The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from government’s failure to seize the new opportunity,” Osodeke said.

Subscribe To ANE Talk Trends On Youtube

Subscribe To All Naija Entertainment On Youtube