Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced a two-week warning strike set to begin at midnight on Monday, October 13, citing unresolved demands and stalled negotiations with the Federal Government.
ASUU President, Mr. Chris Piwuna, made this known during a press briefing on Sunday in Abuja, stating that the decision follows the government’s failure to address long-standing issues despite the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on September 28.
“This action has become necessary,” Piwuna said, “as the government continues to ignore our demands, which include the finalisation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement and the release of three-and-a-half months’ withheld salaries.”
He highlighted additional grievances such as the non-payment of 25% salary arrears, outstanding promotion entitlements spanning four years, and the revitalisation and consistent funding of public universities.
Other unresolved concerns, according to the ASUU president, involve the delayed remittance of third-party deductions and what the union describes as the ongoing victimisation of lecturers at Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (KSU), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Piwuna criticised the government’s approach to negotiations, describing the documents presented by its team as “a total departure from the recommendations earlier submitted by the committee led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.”
Appealing to students, parents, and the general public for their understanding, Piwuna stressed that the strike was a last resort aimed at compelling the government to take meaningful action to revive the country’s higher education sector.
“All ASUU branches are hereby instructed to withdraw their services effective from midnight, Monday, October 13. The warning strike will be total and comprehensive,” he declared.
NAN
