The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the Federal Government to engage with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve pending issues, citing the inadvisability of a strike at this time.
This call follows ASUU’s fresh 14-day ultimatum to the government to address lingering concerns.
ASUU’s Demands
– *Renegotiation of 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement*: Conclusion based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021
– *Withheld Salaries*: Release of salaries withheld due to the 2022 strike action
– *Unpaid Salaries*: Payment for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System
– *Outstanding Deductions*: Payment of third-party deductions, such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions
– *University Funding*: Funding for public universities’ revitalization, partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget
– *Earned Academic Allowances*: Payment partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed frustration with the government’s lack of commitment and delay tactics, stating these actions fuel a crisis in the public university system.
NANS Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde, emphasized, “We are asking the Federal Government to meet with ASUU and discuss with them because ASUU strike at this point in time is not advisable.”
The union has consulted stakeholders and urges well-meaning Nigerians to press the government to address these issues. ASUU resolved to give the government another 14 days, beginning from September 23, 2024, to concretely address the lingering issues to the satisfaction of its membership.
