The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has asked the FG to resolve several issues dating back to 2009, within 14 days. On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, stressed the union’s request for the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, as stated in the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021.
The union is also demanding for the release of salaries withheld due to the 2022 strike action, expressing disappointment over the government’s apparent lack of commitment and persistent delays. ASUU warned that these actions would instigate a crisis within the public university system.
Further, the statement read: “ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government an additional 14 days, on top of the previous 21 days, starting from Monday, September 23, 2024, during which all lingering issues must be satisfactorily resolved.
“The union should not be blamed for any industrial unrest resulting from the government’s failure to use this opportunity to prevent the impending crisis.”
Other demands by the union include the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Also, they request the payment of unpaid third-party deductions, such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions. Additionally, ASUU seeks the disbursal of Earned Academic Allowances, and increased capital for the revitalization of public universities, as partly awarded in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.
Additionally, ASUU raised concerns regarding the reversal of the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils, the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for IPPIS, the uncurbed proliferation of universities by both Federal and State Governments, and the implementation of the reports from university visitation panels.
Source: tribuneonlineng.com