The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a fresh 21-day ultimatum to both federal and state governments, demanding urgent action to address long-standing issues or face a nationwide strike.
The announcement was made by ASUU National President Emmanuel Osodeke during a press conference at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia on Wednesday, August 21. The press conference followed a meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) held at the University of Ibadan from August 17 to 18.
Osodeke highlighted that the union’s decision to issue the ultimatum stemmed from the government's failure to resolve critical issues that led to a previous strike in 2022. He criticized the slow pace of intervention by the Minister of Education and reiterated demands for the government to address several key concerns.
The issues at hand include the review and signing of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, adequate funding for public universities, payment of outstanding earned academic allowances, release of withheld salaries, and addressing promotion arrears and third-party deductions. Additional concerns include halting illegal recruitments, curbing the proliferation of public universities, and ensuring adherence to university laws and regulations.
Osodeke also expressed dissatisfaction with the government's handling of these matters, citing "alarming reports" about unfulfilled promises from the 2022 strike.
In addition to the ultimatum, ASUU has designated Tuesday, September 10, as Victimised Lecturers’ Day. On this day, the union plans to show solidarity with members who have faced persecution and to express its grievances over ongoing labor-management conflicts at institutions such as Lagos State University, Kogi State University, and Federal University of Technology Owerri.
The union’s NEC will reconvene at the end of the 21-day period to decide on further actions, depending on the government's response.
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