ASUU Faults Government’s Slow Response, Threatens Strike

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has sharply criticized the Federal Government’s repeated delays in addressing longstanding grievances, warning that its upcoming ultimatum will force “substantial consequences” if ignored.

President Prof. Chris Piwuna expressed frustration on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the government’s appeal to suspend a planned warning strike was “a little too late.”

“The problem we have with this government and this Ministry of Education is that they are slow in responding to our demands,” Piwuna declared.

He reminded the government that the union had agreed to a three-week window after a meeting in Sokoto to work on ASUU’s demands — only to hear nothing throughout the period.

“We went for a meeting in Sokoto, and at that time we were about to embark on a strike action. They gave us three weeks, we accepted the three weeks, but we never heard a word from them until the three weeks elapsed — not a word from them … Nothing, until we threatened action,” he said.

According to Piwuna, the government only reached out two working days before the planned strike, seeking suspension.

“Yesterday, they appealed to us not to embark on action. Our 2009 agreement, which is still being renegotiated after eight years, remains undone. We have not concluded on it, and two working days before a strike action, you come to appeal to us. I think the appeal has come a little too late,” he added.

ASUU insists that unless meaningful steps are taken before its deadline on Sunday, it will go ahead with a warning strike.

“Their ultimatum expires on Sunday, and after that, there will be a warning strike unless something substantial comes out from the government. So, in the next 48 hours, we expect to receive something substantial from the government. Then, we can go back to our members and ask, ‘Do you think this is sufficient for us to hold on?’ and we will do what our members ask us to do,” Piwuna stated.

His remarks come amid growing concern over the pace and consistency of government action on issues raised by ASUU, including the long-pending renegotiation of the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement, funding shortfalls, delayed promotion arrears, and unpaid allowances.