By Praise Chinecherem
Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU on Tuesday, handed the Federal Government additional 14 days to completely address all lingering issues bedeviling the nation’s public university system.
The latest ultimatum was announced by the ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke at a briefing at the Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja, on what it called ‘the looming industrial crisis and government’s seeming indifference.
Recall that a resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the ASUU, following its meeting at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, that held from the 17th-18th August 2024, gave a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria to address all the unresolved issues that have plagued the public university system.
Among the issues raised in the resolution were the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021; the release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries due to the 2022 strike action; the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Others were the release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions; the funding for the revitalization of public universities; payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA); proliferation of universities by Federal and State Governments; implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities; illegal dissolution of Governing Councils; and University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for IPPIS.
According to Osodeke, the ASUU leadership recently met to review government’s response and regrets that government’s failure to fully implement the Memoranda of Understanding/Actions (MOUs/MOAs) arising from the FGN/ASUU Agreement of 2009, particularly between 2013 and 2020,had continued to exacerbate crises in public universities.
He noted that government’s wage awards cannot replace the finalization of the draft FGN-ASUU Agreement package which was etched on collective bargaining principles.
Osodeke described as worrisome, the government’s refusal to address non-monetary issues such as the removal of universities from IPPIS, despite a presidential directive and a court order.
“In 2020, ASUU responded to the government’s challenge to provide an alternative and more efficient payment platform by developing the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), a purely homegrown technology solution.
“However, the government has refused to accept this alternative despite its superiority to IPPIS,” he said.
The ASUU president noted that the union will not sit idly and watch agents of government undermine its resolve to cater for the welfare of its members and protect the integrity of the university system through these and similar acts of provocation.
According to Osodeke, information available to ASUU does not support government’s claims of insufficient funds, but points squarely to deficit of political will.
He said the substantial inflows from subsidy removal and devaluation of the Naira, translating to the humongous monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements to the three tiers of government, make nonsense of the government’s claims.
“Government does not prioritize the welfare and well-being of Nigerian academics; otherwise, the prolonged engagements with ASUU should have yielded fruitful outcomes for stability and industrial harmony in the Nigerian University System.
He said; “We reiterate our firm belief in the principles of dialogue and collective
bargaining, as enshrined in the International Labour Organization (ILO)
conventions, for resolving all issues.
“However, the government’s continued use of empty promises, non-committal attitude, and delay tactics is fanning the ambers of crisis in our public university system.
“Therefore, we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the government to address these outstanding issues in line with the African Union’s strategy of using the path of quality and accessible education towards realizing the AU agenda 2063.
“This is especially as 2024 has been declared the African Union Year of Education.
“The Nigerian ruling class should stop paying lip service to funding public education, which they benefited from in their days.
“In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, 23rd September 2024 during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union.
“The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud.”
