The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a warning of an imminent nationwide indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to address its long-standing demands by January.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune on Monday that despite multiple extensions and negotiations, the government has yet to fulfill its commitments to the union.
“But up till now, several months after, the government has not done anything concrete as regards all our issues,” Osodeke said. “We are still on the same old narrative, and as a union, it is time for us to take action. That will be early January if the government still refuses to do the needful by then.”
Prof. Osodeke explained that ASUU has delayed declaring a strike to give the Federal Government ample time to resolve outstanding issues, including the implementation of agreements and improved funding for tertiary education.
He noted that during a general meeting in November, union leaders persuaded members to extend the grace period until the end of December.
“When we met in November, the leadership had to plead with members to allow the government to use November and December to address our concerns, thinking it would have done so by now,” he said.
The ASUU President clarified that the union does not need to issue a new strike notice, as the initial notice has been repeatedly extended in compliance with labor laws.
“How long do we wait again for feedback on the same issues that have lingered for years?” Osodeke asked, adding that the union would reconvene in early January to take a decisive stance.
Prof. Osodeke appealed to Nigerians for understanding, emphasizing that strikes are always a last resort.
“We embark on strike only when members have been pushed to the wall,” he said.
ASUU’s grievances with the Federal Government include poor funding of universities, unresolved salary issues, and the non-implementation of agreements reached in prior negotiations.
