Universities Set To Shutdown As ASUU Drops Fresh Nationwide Strike Threat

Nigerian universities are set for shutdown as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to address its demands for improved welfare and administrative conditions in public universities, warning of a potential nationwide strike.

During a press conference at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, on Friday, Mrs. Happiness Uduk, ASUU’s Zonal Coordinator for the Calabar Zone, stressed the urgency of these demands.

Uduk highlighted the government’s failure to fulfill commitments under the 2009 FG-ASUU agreement, which has led to stagnant salary scales and minimal welfare improvements over the past 15 years.

“ASUU members have been on the same salary scale for 15 years without any change. We urge the government to complete the negotiations initiated over 13 years ago, considering current economic realities such as inflation and exchange rates,” Uduk stated.

ASUU is pressing for the renegotiation of terms related to the revitalization fund for public universities, payment of academic allowances, withheld salaries, high taxation, and alleged victimization of its members.

Uduk reiterated ASUU’s demand to remove its members from the Integrated Personnel Payroll System (IPPIS), advocating for the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) or similar platforms developed internally by universities.

She called on the Abia Government to promptly settle the 11-month salary arrears owed to ABSU lecturers and criticized the use of the Treasury Single Account for salary payments.

Highlighting grievances at Ebonyi State University, Uduk noted that some members have allegedly been suspended without pay for over two years, calling for their immediate reinstatement.

She proposed replacing the Federal Government’s student loan scheme with grants to ease financial burdens on students and enhance academic pursuits.

Uduk also called for a halt to the proliferation of universities and advocated for increased funding to improve standards in existing institutions.

The ASUU coordinator concluded by stressing that ongoing engagement with stakeholders aims to urge the government to act swiftly. “If the issues remain unresolved, ASUU plans to commence a nationwide strike in two weeks,” she declared.