ASUU set for nationwide protest, warns of looming strike

Nigeria’s largest academic union, ASUU, has announced plans to hold rallies across public universities next week to protest what it described as the federal government’s failure to prioritise its demands, particularly the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the government and the union.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its President, Christopher Piwuna, a professor, the union said it would give the government until 28 August to address the demands, after which it would decide on the next line of action, which it hinted could be an industrial action.

The statement was released after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto on 16 -17 August.

“As always, it is the FGN that has consistently pushed our union to embark on a strike action, and it is clear that ASUU may have no other option than to embark on an action to press the FGN to listen to our demands and do the needful,” the union said.

The union said it has tried several strategies of resolving the dispute with the government, including writing multiple letters, and drawing the government’s attention to the issues, but the government has failed to address them.

“We want to call on our members to come out en masse to participate in the rally across our campuses next week. This rally will be the first shot at the government, and it will signal many other things to come. We reassure members that we will act without let or hindrance in addressing the challenges ahead,” the statement said.

Earlier this month, the union alerted the Nigerian public of a looming nationwide strike that would disrupt activities in campuses across the country should the government fail to meet its obligations as contained in the 2009 agreement it had with the union, as well as the renegotiation of the same.

Source: Premium Times