The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a Fourteen-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria as a means to draw the attention of Government and members of the general public to the declining fortunes of university education and its implications for the nation’s desire for transformative and lasting development.
The union announced the decision following a National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.
In the notice of strike action signed by the national president of ASUU, Professor Chris Piwuna, the Union decried the neglect of the University system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.
The statement reads, “What is clear for now is that both the Federal and State Governments have a strong habit of paying little or no attention to the education sector in general and the welfare of university academics in particular.”
“Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the fourteen days ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the Union may have no option than to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.”
The Union noted that it is over sixteen years since ASUU brought several issues bothering development of university education in the country but have not received the needed attention from the government.
ASUU also rejected the Federal Government’s proposed loan scheme for tertiary institution staff, stressing that members do not need loans, but the implementation of agreements that restore their purchasing power and dignity.
