By Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
The National Executive Committee of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it is embarking on an indefinite strike till its needs are met.
The resolution followed the end of its two-day meeting at the University of Lagos, Akoka, where it arrived at the final decision to proceed on an indefinite strike.
The strike takes effect from Monday, February 14, 2022.
ASUU national President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, on Sunday, said though the strike was against their wish, they had to put the interest of the union first.
He said, ” I announce to you with a heavy heart the commencement of a nationwide strike starting from 14th February till our needs are met.”
The union had expressed grievances over the failure of the Federal Government to fulfill some of the agreements reached since 2009. ASUU had on November 15, 2021 given the Federal Government a three-week ultimatum over the failure to meet the demands.
The lecturers threatened to embark on another round of industrial action following the alleged “government’s unfaithfulness” to implementing the Memorandum of Action it signed with the union, leading to the suspension of the 2020 strike action.
After the union’s National Executive Council meeting at the University of Abuja on November 13 and 14, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, lamented that despite meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on October 14, 2021, on issues, including funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution, promotion arrears, renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and the inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System payment, none of the demands had been met.
