By Kolawole Oluwatosin
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to address longstanding demands or face another round of strike action.
Rising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja, the union accused the government of neglecting the university system and failing to honour agreements.
In a statement personally signed by its National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, ASUU warned that if the government fails to act within the two-week window, it will commence a two-week warning strike, which could escalate into an indefinite shutdown of public universities nationwide.
“The Union condemns the neglect of the university system and the government’s consistent refusal to fulfill its obligations. If, after the 14 days, nothing is done, we will have no option but to embark on a warning strike and thereafter proceed to a total and indefinite strike,” the statement read.
ASUU’s core demands remain largely unchanged. They include the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, release of revitalisation funds for universities, settlement of outstanding salary arrears, and the establishment of sustainable funding mechanisms for higher education.
The Federal Government had earlier set up a committee, headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan, to review ASUU’s proposals in a bid to stabilise the university system. However, as of press time, no resolution had been made public.
ASUU, which has frequently clashed with successive governments over funding and welfare, insists that only a firm commitment from the Federal Government can avert another disruption in the academic calendar.