ASUU Warns FG Over 2009 Agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has again called on the Federal Government to revisit the 2009 agreement on the union’s salary structure and welfare.

Speaking at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, the Benin Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said universities under the zone, including UNIBEN, AAU, AAUA, OAUSTECH, DELSU, FUPRE, UNIDEL, DOU, and DSUST, have unanimously resolved to remind the government of its unfulfilled promises.

He noted that since ASUU suspended its last strike in October 2022, the government has failed to review lecturers’ conditions of service, pay arrears of promotion entitlements, release withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, and clear third-party deductions.

Igbafen said it was “unimaginable” that lecturers have been left with poor salaries for 16 years despite rising inflation, forcing many academics to leave for better opportunities abroad. He warned that this brain drain undermines Nigeria’s development, as no nation can rise above the quality of its education system.

According to him, the neglect of education funding by both federal and state governments shows a lack of commitment to the sector.

“Our union has been patient and patriotic, but government’s refusal to act is provoking anger among members. The failure to meet our demands is a direct invitation to crisis, and such crisis is imminent,” he said.

ASUU insisted it would take necessary steps if the government continues to ignore its demands, stressing that enough is enough.