The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared its readiness to join a nationwide indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to address the union’s long-standing demands.
Chairman of ASUU-UNN, Dr. Oyibo Eze, made this known on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Nsukka after the union’s congress and a subsequent protest rally held by members across the campus.
Eze warned that the Federal Government would be solely responsible for any industrial action, stressing that its consistent failure to implement agreements reached with ASUU since 2009 shows that education is not among its priorities.
“The government’s inability to fulfil agreements with our union since 2009 is deeply unfortunate. It demonstrates a clear disregard for education and the well-being of lecturers who form the backbone of the university system,” he said.
The protest rally, which was held in line with directives from ASUU’s national leadership, was aimed at reminding the government of its commitments. Eze explained that members had unanimously expressed their willingness to participate in any nationwide strike if their demands remain unmet.
“Our congress urged the government to implement all agreements with ASUU and to pay the three-and-a-half months of salaries owed to our members. That is why you see a large turnout for today’s protest. Enough is enough,” he stated.
Eze further highlighted that lecturers are also demanding payment of wage awards of 25 and 35 percent, arrears of earned allowances, and revitalisation funds for Nigerian universities. He maintained that unless these issues are addressed, the union will have no choice but to resort to a strike.
The ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) is scheduled to meet on September 2, following discussions with the Federal Government on August 28, to decide the next course of action. The outcome of these meetings is expected to determine whether ASUU will declare an indefinite nationwide strike.
The protest march saw lecturers move through major roads within the UNN campus before converging at the university’s administrative building. Many of them carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Federal Government, honour the 2009 ASUU agreement,” “Our wives and children are hungry; pay our three-and-a-half months’ salaries,” and “FG, please pay lecturers’ wage awards of 25% and 35%.”
Addressing the demonstrators, UNN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Romanus Ezeokonkwo, commended the lecturers for maintaining peace during the rally. He, however, appealed to ASUU to consider an indefinite strike only as a last resort after all avenues of dialogue with the Federal Government have been fully explored.
Professor Ortuanya assured the union that the university management would forward their demands to the Federal Ministry of Education, adding that the administration recognises the sacrifices of lecturers and the importance of their welfare to sustaining quality education.
Recently, ASUU’s national leadership directed branches across the country to organise campus rallies and hold referenda in their congresses to seek members’ approval for a possible nationwide strike. With UNN lecturers declaring their readiness, momentum appears to be building towards another confrontation between ASUU and the Federal Government.
