A new threat of Disruption in Nigeria’s public university sector is on the view as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has made a new appeal to the federal government. On September 23, ASUU imposed a two-week timeframe for the administration to resolve ongoing concerns regarding the Welfare of its members and various other requests. This development raises concerns about another potential disruption to academic activities, which has become a familiar and distressing pattern in the Education sector. Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, the President of the ASUU, expressed his disappointment in the government’s apparent indifference and tendency to delay.
He clarified that if the government fails to seize this new opportunity to resolve the issues, the union should not be blamed for any resulting industrial action. Moreover, in early August, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU convened in Ibadan, delivering a 21-day notice for the government to tackle outstanding concerns impacting public universities. After a subsequent review meeting, the union voiced dissatisfaction with the government’s lack of complete adherence to the multiple agreements established in its 2009 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Action (MoA) with the union.
The issue mainly stems from unfulfilled promises made over a decade ago.
Although many discussions and accords have occurred since then, most of the outstanding problems arise from promises made more than ten years ago. The union has outlined several essential requests. Key among them are the finalisation of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement by the Nimi Briggs Committee’s proposed draft from 2021, the payment of three and a half months of Salaries that were withheld during the 2022 strike, and the disbursement of overdue wages for staff in sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct roles impacted by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
They also aim to access the funds designated for rejuvenating public universities and compensating Earned Academic Allowances (EAA). In addition, the group advocates for implementing recommendations from visitation committees to universities and substituting IPPIS with the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS). Although the 2023 budget provides funding for EAA payments and aims to revitalise universities, the union has expressed disappointment over the lack of action in these areas for almost a year. There has been no advancement, even after a presidential order was issued to free academic personnel from IPPIS.
Other unions within the university system also face similar challenges.
Their grievances relate to the government’s agreement to inject #1.3 trillion to revitalise public universities, an initiative meant to span six tranches starting in 2013. However, after the initial #200 billion tranche, the government failed to release the subsequent #220 billion annual payments for the next five years as agreed, citing a lack of funds. They, however, question this reasoning, pointing to instances of government expenditure that suggest funds may not be as scarce as claimed. For instance, reports indicate that the federal government spent a lot of money on a new presidential jet and the Vice President’s residence, raising doubts about the government’s sincerity in addressing their demands.
Moreover, other unions in the university system face similar difficulties. The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have occasionally carried out strikes. More recently, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) set a 21-day deadline beginning on September 30, insisting on the immediate payment of five and a half months of back pay owed to its members. Even after a presidential order issued more than five months ago, there has been no movement to resolve these salary concerns.
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In a similar statement on September 30, Dennis Aribodor, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU’s Owerri Zone, underscored the situation’s urgency. He revealed that universities across Imo, Abia, and Anambra States, including Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State University Owerri, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, were prepared to take action to prevent further industrial crises. However, ongoing labour disruptions have harmed the academic system, discouraging international students and prompting others to pursue studies overseas.