Education
Strike: Govt, ASUU each compromise, reconvene September 6
The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have reached a compromise, averting a potential strike following a 21-day notice issued by the union.
ASUU announced the strike notice at the conclusion of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, On August 19, held at the University of Ibadan, citing several unmet demands from the government.
During a crucial meeting held on August 28, 2024, in Abuja, both parties agreed to set up a sub-committee to review ASUU’s demands.
The government also committed to finding lasting solutions to the ongoing crisis.
The meeting, which lasted approximately two and a half hours, was convened by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.
It was attended by ASUU leadership, including the National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke.
Speaking to the press after the closed-door meeting, Prof. Mamman confirmed that “both parties agreed to reconvene on September 6.”
He further stated that “a sub-committee had been set up to review the demands of the union and ensure that all grey areas are ironed out and resolved.”
Prof. Osodeke expressed optimism that the issues would be resolved before the next meeting, saying:
“We have met to discuss all the issues and review them. We have given the government between now and the next meeting to see what they have to do.”
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), ASUU’s strike notice is set to expire on September 9, three days after the scheduled follow-up meeting.
ASUU seeks a university system overhaul with better infrastructure, enhanced academic freedom, and a sustainable funding model.
Other demands include the release of revitalization funds for universities and the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement.
They also seek payment of earned allowances for lecturers and the deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).
Key historical strikes
1999 strike: Shortly after Nigeria’s return to democracy, ASUU embarked on a five-month strike.
They highlighted issues such as poor university funding and the need for better working conditions for lecturers.
2003 strike: The industrial action lasted for six months.
It was driven by the government’s failure to implement previous agreements, particularly regarding university funding and salary disparities.
2013 strike: One of the most prolonged strikes in ASUU’s history, lasting for over five months.
The union demanded implementing the 2009 agreement, including revitalizing public universities and paying Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).
2020 strike: This strike, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, lasted for nine months, making it one of the longest in ASUU’s history.
The issues at the center of this strike included the non-payment of salaries through the government’s Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
There was also a delay in releasing revitalization funds.
Impact on the academic calendar and students
ASUU’s frequent strikes have disrupted Nigeria’s academic calendar, causing extended semesters, delayed graduations, and planning issues.
Students have had to endure prolonged stays at home, causing a loss of academic momentum and, in many cases, a decrease in the quality of education.
The strikes have worsened the brain drain, with many lecturers seeking better opportunities abroad due to instability in Nigerian universities.
Understanding ASUU’s persistent demands
Revitalization funds for universities:
The revitalization fund is intended to address the infrastructural decay in Nigerian public universities.
ASUU has long argued that the current state of many university facilities—classrooms, laboratories, and libraries—are inadequate for proper learning and research.
These funds, originally part of the 2009 agreement, are meant to overhaul these facilities to ensure that they meet global standards.
However, the disbursement of these funds has been slow and inconsistent, leading to repeated strikes.
Renegotiation of the 2009 agreement:
The 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement outlines conditions of service, including salary structures, education funding, and university autonomy.
ASUU has sought to renegotiate the agreement to reflect current realities, especially regarding salaries and working conditions.
ASUU believes the government’s failure to fully implement the agreement has significantly contributed to ongoing education sector challenges.
Payment of earned academic allowances:
These allowances are part of the compensation package promised to university lecturers based on their workload, research, and other academic responsibilities.
ASUU has insisted that many of its members have not received these allowances, leading to discontent.
The union sees prompt payment of allowances as crucial for the morale and productivity of academic staff.
UTAS vs. IPPIS
ASUU has rejected the government’s IPPIS, a system designed to centralize payroll for federal employees, including university staff, arguing that it undermines the autonomy of universities.
Instead, ASUU developed UTAS, a payroll system tailored for Nigerian universities, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in fund management.
ASUU believes UTAS better addresses academic issues like sabbaticals and part-time work, which IPPIS allegedly mishandles.
These demands are part of ASUU’s broader struggle for improved funding, better working conditions, and enhanced autonomy for Nigerian universities.
The union argues that these changes are necessary for the overall improvement of the education sector in the country.
For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook
Continue Reading
