The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) warns the federal government, expressing its dwindling patience with the ongoing issues plaguing public universities in Nigeria. The union’s Bauchi chapter, specifically, has voiced its concerns, highlighting the prolonged negotiations with the government that have yielded little to no progress.
ASUU’s grievances include:
- Non-payment of earned academic allowances
- Withheld salaries of members
- Unpaid promotion arrears
- Opposition to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS)
- Inadequate funding of existing universities
- Illegal dissolution of public universities’ governing councils
- Lack of recognition for several universities due to the absence of governing councils
The union’s vice chairperson in ATBU, Mohammed Mohammed, emphasized that negotiations with the government have been ongoing for nearly 15 years without a resolution. He stressed that ASUU members are growing weary of the government’s inaction and lack of commitment to addressing their demands.
ASUU’s national auditor, Prof Adamu Mohammed Babayo, further highlighted the alarming situation in several universities, which are being run illegally and lack recognition due to the absence of governing councils. This situation underscores the dire need for the government to take immediate action to address the systemic issues plaguing the university system.
The union’s warning of a potential strike serves as a stark reminder of the precarious state of public universities in Nigeria. The government must recognize the urgency of the situation and engage in meaningful dialogue with ASUU to find lasting solutions to the outstanding issues. Failure to do so could have severe consequences for the education sector and the future of countless students.
Here are some key takeaways from the ASUU statement:
- ASUU’s patience with the government is wearing thin due to unresolved issues.
- The union demands include payment of outstanding allowances, salaries, and promotion arrears.
- ASUU opposes IPPIS and calls for adequate funding of existing universities.
- The union expresses concern about the illegal operation and lack of recognition of several universities.
- ASUU warns of a potential strike if the government fails to address its demands.
The government must act swiftly and decisively to avert another disruptive strike and ensure the smooth operation of public universities in Nigeria. The future of education and the well-being of students and staff depend on it.
