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The atmosphere is charged within Nigeria’s academic circles as the national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) prepares for an important meeting on Thursday in Abuja.
During the meeting scheduled for this morning, the union is anticipated to present a “State of the Nation” address, which has sparked uncertainty among students who are increasingly concerned about the potential for an imminent strike.
Scheduled precisely one week after ASUU delivered a fresh 14-day pre-strike notice to the federal government, this meeting has raised alarms regarding the potential for academic interruptions.
The 14-day ultimatum is a response to an earlier 21-day notice issued by the union on August 18, compelling the government to address their long-standing grievances.
Read also: ASUU: Hold FG Accountable If We Strike
ASUU has been pushing for the review and signing of the renegotiated 2009 agreement with the federal government. Other key demands include the revitalization fund for public universities, payment of outstanding earned academic allowances, and the release of withheld salaries.
The union is also calling for the resolution of promotion arrears and third-party deductions affecting its members, as well as the cessation of illegal recruitment, the proliferation of public universities, and the abuse of university laws, among other issues.
The outcome of today’s meeting could significantly impact the future of public university education in Nigeria, as many await the union’s next move.
