by The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nsukka Zone, has warned that another strike may happen soon due to the Federal Government’s failure to resolve ongoing issues in the university system.
Raphael Amokaha, ASUU’s Zonal Coordinator for Nsukka, shared this concern in a statement released in Makurdi on Wednesday. He said that since ending their 2022 strike, ASUU has avoided further action to give room for peaceful negotiations, but the government has not made meaningful efforts to address their demands.
Amokaha explained that the union was pushed into the 2022 strike after the government ignored a negotiated agreement and instead imposed its own terms. Despite years of discussions, Amokaha noted that little progress has been made in tackling the core problems affecting Nigerian universities.
He highlighted that university workers are the only group of employees in Nigeria who haven’t had a salary review in over 15 years. The lack of funding and continuous decline in university conditions have made the situation worse.
ASUU’s demands include finalizing the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, payment of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, and funding for university revitalization, as stated in the 2023 budget. The union also wants the release of outstanding third-party deductions and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances.
Amokaha emphasized that if the government does not take immediate action to resolve these issues, ASUU may be left with no choice but to go on strike again. He concluded by stating that if this happens, the Federal Government will be held responsible for the disruption in the university system.
