ASUU Presents Fortnight Deadline to Federal Government Over Unfulfilled Agreements

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a fourteen-day final notice to the federal administration, demanding the resolution of long-standing disputes to avert widespread industrial action. This decision was ratified during the union’s National Executive Council gathering convened on Sunday at the University of Abuja .

The union has strongly criticised what it characterises as the government’s persistent disregard for the public university system and the welfare of its academic staff . Officials lamented that despite recent campus demonstrations held in August to highlight these pressing concerns, no substantive reaction was received from the authorities .

Should the government fail to act within the stipulated period, the union’s initial response will be a two-week cautionary strike . This could be followed by a comprehensive and indefinite cessation of work across all public universities if their demands continue to be ignored .

The key issues cited include the need to renegotiate the 2009 agreement between the union and the government, ensure sustainable financing for universities, and revitalise deteriorating infrastructure . Additional grievances involve the alleged targeting of union representatives at several institutions, the payment of outstanding salary increments amounting to 25-35%, the resolution of promotion arrears pending for over four years, and the settlement of unremitted third-party deductions .