The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is on the brink of a nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to disburse withheld salaries owed to public university lecturers.
President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke, raised concerns in a recent interview with Channels Television, highlighting the disparity in salary payments. Despite receiving four months’ salaries out of a total of seven-and-half months owed, lecturers remain dissatisfied.
Osodeke emphasized the importance of fair compensation, stating, “We have covered the work for which we were not paid during the strike in 2022. None of our members have taken leave in the past three to four years.”
The ultimatum issued to the government, effective May 13, 2024, demands full payment for the entire period of the industrial action in 2022. Osodeke criticized the delay, particularly considering the government’s allocation of significant funds for infrastructure projects.
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“We don’t want excuses of insufficient funds. If billions can be allocated for road construction, why not prioritize university workers’ salaries?” Osodeke questioned.
The ASUU president also raised concerns about the prolonged absence of Governing Councils in universities, attributing it to illegal contracts and recruitments.
Despite ongoing negotiations since 2017, Osodeke stressed the need for prompt resolution and reinstatement of dissolved Governing Councils.
This looming strike threat follows previous industrial actions in 2022, which resulted in a ‘no work, no pay policy’ by the government. Although President Bola Tinubu released four months’ withheld salaries, ASUU remains resolute in its demands for fair treatment and remuneration.
As tensions escalate, stakeholders await government response to avert a potential disruption in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
