The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning, threatening to plunge Nigeria's public universities into another period of industrial unrest. The union declared it will resume its nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to honor the agreements reached before the expiration of its one-month ultimatum.
The Ultimatum and Government's 'Sluggish Approach'
This fresh alert was sounded by ASUU's Kano Zonal Coordinator, Abdulkadir Muhammad, on Tuesday, November 18, in Kano. He addressed journalists following a zonal meeting that included representatives from major institutions like Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; Bayero University Kano (BUK); and Kaduna State University (KASU). Others present were from Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil; Federal University Dutse (FUD); Northwest University (NWU), Kano; and Sule Lamido University (SLUK), Kafin Hausa.
Muhammad expressed deep frustration with what he termed the government's "sluggish approach" to renegotiating crucial agreements. These agreements are central to revitalizing Nigeria's crumbling public university system and addressing the welfare of academic staff. He revealed that this position was solidified after a report was presented at ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on November 8 and 9 at Taraba State University.
The union's NEC expressed profound dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the ongoing renegotiation, describing it as a major obstacle to achieving a meaningful conclusion. Muhammad reminded the public that the strike was suspended in October as a gesture of goodwill to create an enabling environment for dialogue. "However, our hope for a holistic and timely resolution of the issues is increasingly being dashed," he lamented.
Core Demands and Accusations of Misinformation
The zonal coordinator accused some government officials of employing tactics to undermine the renegotiation process and misinform the public about the true state of engagements. He stated that the government has shown no genuine commitment to improving the working conditions of lecturers or tackling the severe brain drain crippling the university system.
"What government has offered will neither improve the working conditions of academics nor attract scholars from other countries to our universities," Muhammad asserted. He also urged the Federal Government to place a moratorium on the establishment of new state universities, criticizing governors for habitually establishing institutions without a concurrent commitment to funding them.
The grievances were echoed across other zones. In a separate media briefing in Benin City, Edo State, the Benin Zone Coordinator, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, described it as "wicked and inhumane" to leave university lecturers on the same salary structure for over 15 years. He accused the Federal Government of a blatant unwillingness to resolve the outstanding issues.
Similarly, the Calabar Zone, through its Coordinator Ikechukwu Igwenyi, reiterated the demands in Cross River State. The union's non-negotiable points include:
- Completion and full implementation of the renegotiated agreement with clear timelines.
- Immediate release of 3.5 months of outstanding salaries and all withheld payments.
- Refund of all third-party deductions and payment of promotion arrears.
- Payment of the outstanding 25-35% wage award.
- Adequate budgetary allocation and sustainable funding for universities.
- Respect for university autonomy and an end to policies that undermine academic freedom.
An Impending Crisis in the Education Sector
The unified message from ASUU's various zones indicates a brewing storm in Nigeria's tertiary education landscape. The union has made it clear that its patience is wearing thin. The one-month grace period offered in October is quickly running out, and the academic staff are prepared to down tools once again.
Igwenyi, who was accompanied by nine other union officials in Calabar, stated unequivocally, "We gave the government a four-week ultimatum to address these issues… We shall remain unbowed, unbroken, and unwavering in this just struggle." The stage is set for a critical showdown that could determine the academic fate of millions of Nigerian university students.
