The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially notified the Federal Government of its intention to embark on a nationwide strike.
The union issued a 21-day notice following a National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Ibadan.
The notice was issued at the end of the NEC meeting, which was held at the University of Ibadan, and a copy is expected to be transmitted to the Federal Ministries of Labour and Education.
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“It is not an ultimatum but a strike notice. We are giving them 21 days’ notice, after which we shall embark on strike.
“Our aim for putting out the notice is that it is a requirement under labour laws so we are trying to ensure that all our actions are done according to the law,” the source said.
ASUU has reiterated its threat to strike due to the Federal Government’s failure to fulfill previously agreed-upon terms.
Despite a meeting with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on June 26th to address outstanding issues, ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke confirmed that the government has not honored its commitments.
“At the meeting called by the Minister of Education, we agreed that after two weeks, we will meet to see the progress the government has made.
“We will also see what we will do next if the government fail to implement the agreements reached.”
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ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke highlighted key issues contributing to the potential strike, including the government’s failure to implement the 2009 renegotiated agreements for over six years.
He also criticized the non-payment of academic allowances for the same period. Regarding the revitalization fund, Osodeke noted that they had agreed on a Needs Assessment Report to secure N200 billion annually for five years.
“Since 2013, only one has been paid. We need revitalisation funds to upgrade our universities to standard so that we can have students and lecturers from outside the country,” he said.
Oshodeke added that the government had yet to stop the proliferation of universities, adding that many new universities were being approved without funds to run them.
