ASUU Strike As Govt’s Three Week Deadline Ends Next Week

A fresh strike may soon hit Nigerian universities as the Federal Government’s three-week ultimatum to settle its dispute with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) expires next week.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration had promised to address the union’s grievances within the period, but sources say no concrete steps have been taken so far.

“The government assured us that within three weeks, which ends next week, the issues will be resolved. We are still waiting for their response,” a source in ASUU told SaharaReporters.

Union leaders say lecturers are holding back from strike action in anticipation of government intervention, but warned that patience is running out.

Earlier in September, the Benin Zone of ASUU had warned Nigerians to prepare for another shutdown of universities if the government fails to act. Speaking at a press briefing at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Zonal Coordinator Prof. Monday Igbafen accused the government of insincerity and neglect.

He listed the union’s demands, including the signing of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, payment of withheld salaries and promotion arrears, release of third-party deductions, and improved funding of public universities.

“Since the suspension of our last strike in October 2022, the Federal Government has not fulfilled its promises. We want Nigerians to hold the government responsible for any paralysis that may follow,” Igbafen said.

The Benin Zone comprises the University of Benin, Ambrose Alli University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Delta State University, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, University of Delta, Dennis Osadebay University, and Southern Delta University.

With the deadline drawing close, lecturers say the fate of Nigeria’s public universities now rests on whether the Tinubu government meets its promise in the coming days.