The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Nigerian government a 14-day ultimatum to address the lingering issues affecting public university lecturers. Dennis Aribodor, zonal coordinator of the Owerri Zone, made this announcement at a press conference in Owerri, Imo State, on Monday.
Aribodor accused the Federal Government of underfunding public education and treating university lecturers as “16th-century slaves.” He emphasized that the government’s failure to implement the Memoranda of Understanding/Actions arising from the FGN/ASUU Agreement has exacerbated crises in public universities.
“The resolution of the National Executive Council of ASUU… gave a 21-day ultimatum to the government of Nigeria to address all the unresolved issues that have plagued the public university system,” Aribodor stated. He noted that the government’s response has been inadequate, prompting the ASUU to issue another 14-day ultimatum.
The ASUU has been seeking resolution on several issues, including the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, release of withheld salaries, funding for the revitalization of public universities, and payment of Earned Academic Allowances. Aribodor criticized the government’s refusal to remove universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) despite a presidential directive and court order.
“What has become clear from recent engagements is that the current government has continued with the old antics, characterized by bureaucratic bottlenecks, time-buying tactics, denial of documentation, and lack of budgetary provisions,” Aribodor said. He emphasized that the government’s claims of insufficient funds are unfounded, citing substantial inflows from subsidy removal and devaluation of the naira.
Aribodor warned that the government’s continued use of empty promises and delay tactics may lead to industrial disharmony. “Lecturers are hungry and angry!” he exclaimed. The ASUU urged well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the government to address the outstanding issues, emphasizing that 2024 has been declared the African Union Year of Education.
If the Federal Government fails to address these issues within the 14-day ultimatum, ASUU nationwide may shut down universities, potentially disrupting the academic calendar. Aribodor cautioned, “ASUU should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that may arise from the government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud.”
