The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abuja Zone, has appealed to Nigerians to intensify pressure on the Federal Government to address all lingering issues affecting public universities, warning that failure to act may result in another avoidable industrial action.
The Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Al-Amin Abdullahi, made the call on Monday in Abuja during a news conference. Abdullahi was represented by the Chairman of the University of Abuja chapter, Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh.
He said the future of Nigeria’s public universities and their students should not be jeopardised by insecurity, indifference or political grandstanding.
Abdullahi said the briefing was aimed at updating Nigerians on the union’s engagement with the Federal Government following the recent suspension of its warning strike.
“We wish to reaffirm that the issues include the renegotiation and full execution of the 2009 ASUU Agreement, which addresses greater academic autonomy, better funding, staff welfare and revitalisation of public universities.
“There is also the immediate release of our members’ salaries withheld for three and a half months without valid reason.
“Payment of substantial unpaid arrears, including one year of the 25 per cent/35 per cent wage award, withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative funds and union check-off dues, remains unresolved,” he said.
He said that although the government’s proposal was reviewed at an emergency NEC meeting on Oct. 21, ASUU reluctantly accepted the inadequate offers to allow room for further meaningful negotiations.
“Consequently, on Oct. 22, out of respect for our students, parents, media, NLC and other well-meaning Nigerians, NEC suspended the two-week action.
“We gave the Federal Government one month to complete negotiations and show sincere commitment to implement the proposals,” he said.
According to him, almost four weeks after the suspension, it has become clear that the government has not used the goodwill period effectively, nor shown the urgency required to address the persistent issues in the university system.
He stressed that unpaid salaries, unremitted deductions and chronic underfunding had worsened conditions in public universities, disrupting academic calendars and placing heavy financial strain on students and their families.
Abdullahi said another major disagreement in the government’s proposal was the issue of salary and conditions of service, which he described as inadequate and below members’ expectations.
He acknowledged some government actions, such as partial payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2017 and the release of some third-party deductions, but noted that these were confidence-building gestures rather than genuine steps toward resolving the core issues.
“The best way to revitalise public universities is through sincere negotiation, not propaganda.
“When agreements are broken, payments withheld, or deception employed in place of dialogue, the union has a moral and constitutional obligation to defend public education and its members.
“ASUU will not hesitate to use every lawful tool at its disposal if the government continues to trivialise challenges undermining public universities,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that institutions under the Abuja Zone include the University of Abuja, Federal University of Technology Minna, Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State University Keffi and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. (NAN)
