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University lecturers in Nigeria are frustrated with President Bola Tinubu’s lack of engagement with their concerns, which they say has necessitated their continued industrial action.
Professor Anthony Odiwe, leading the Obafemi Awolowo University ASUU chapter, urged the federal government to revisit the 2021 draft agreement, warning that neglecting the union’s demands could trigger another nationwide industrial action.
The union leader pointed out that many of the core issues that have led to past strikes remain unaddressed, with the federal government’s inaction leaving ASUU perplexed and disappointed in the current administration’s handling of these matters.
“It is extremely important to state that all the issues that had always forced our members to embark on strike are still unattended up till now.
“Please permit me to mention those issues- Release of the unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical, adjunct, etc. due to IPPIS, payment of promotion arrears, payment of EAA, proliferation of public universities, implementation of the Reports of the Visitation Panels, illegal dissolution of Governing Councils of Federal and State Universities, implementation of University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) in place of IPPIS and release of third-party deductions.”
The union has been left in the dark, with no official audience granted by President Tinubu in the twelve months since his swearing-in, a disappointing development in the ongoing negotiations.
Read also: Abia: ASUU Protests Non-Payment Of Salaries To Staff
He stated that, “the Union was very open and hopeful at the beginning that government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that would be favourably disposed in addressing the issues, especially with the posture and utterances of Mr. President that strike will be thing of the past in our system.
“Unfortunately, the same government has refused to relate with us officially in the last one year in power. In view of this, the Union has decided to take this matter to the public space once again so that Nigerians will be properly informed and will not blame us but the government because of their insensitivity and non-responsiveness to the issues of university education in the country.”
Members of the Union who marched in solidarity on the campus were seen carrying different placards witb inscriptions; “IPPIS is a scam”, “Pay all our outstanding promotion arrears”, “FG give our children proper education”, “enough is enough: govern us, not ot oppress us”, among others.
