ASUU ISSUES URGENT STRIKE WARNING TO EDUCATION MINISTER, PRESIDENCY. (PHOTO).

 ASUU Issues Urgent Strike Warning to Education Minister, Presidency

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, urging immediate action to address unresolved issues in the education sector to avert a nationwide strike in public universities. The union's call, directed at the Minister of Education and the Presidency, comes amid growing tensions over unmet demands.

In a statement released on Saturday, ASUU highlighted several grievances, including inadequate funding for universities, unpaid salaries, and the failure to implement agreements reached with the government in previous negotiations. The union accused the government of neglecting the revitalization of public universities, which it claims has led to deteriorating infrastructure and poor working conditions for academic staff.

“We are at a breaking point,” said ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, during a press briefing in Abuja. “The Federal Government must act swiftly to honor its commitments, or we will have no choice but to mobilize our members for industrial action. This is a final warning.”

The union’s demands include the release of funds for university revitalization, payment of outstanding earned academic allowances, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as an alternative to the government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). ASUU argues that IPPIS undermines university autonomy and fails to address the peculiarities of academic staff remuneration.

Sources within the Ministry of Education, speaking anonymously, acknowledged ongoing discussions with ASUU but noted that budgetary constraints and competing national priorities have delayed the implementation of some agreements. The Presidency has yet to issue an official response to ASUU’s latest warning.

This development follows a series of engagements between ASUU and government representatives, with the union expressing frustration over what it describes as “endless meetings with no tangible outcomes.” In 2022, ASUU embarked on an eight-month strike, one of the longest in its history, which crippled academic activities across the country. Observers fear that another strike could further disrupt Nigeria’s already fragile higher education system.

Stakeholders, including students and parents, have called for urgent dialogue to prevent the looming crisis. “We cannot afford another shutdown of our universities,” said Chika Nwankwo, a final-year student at the University of Lagos. “Both sides need to find common ground quickly.”

ASUU has given the government a 14-day ultimatum to address its demands, threatening to commence strike action if no progress is made. The nation now awaits the government’s response as the clock ticks down.