The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Branch Awka, on Tuesday 2nd July 2024 expressed its grievances over lingering issues with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Speaking in a press conference held at the ASUU Secretariats Unizik, Awka, the union expressed its grievances stating that the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is yet to engage fully address all outstanding issues with ASUU as discussed at the emergency National Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday, the 8th of June, 2024.
ASUU Chairman Unizik Dr. Kingsley Ubaoji
in his address listed the following issues;
Renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and implementation of the Prof. Nimi Briggs Report. Funding for the Revitalisation of Public Universities based on the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2012, 2013, and the MoA of 2017. Release of the 3½ months of the withheld salaries. Payment of EAA. Release of unpaid staff salaries on sabbatical, adjunct, etc., due to IPPIS. Release of third-party deductions, Implementation of UTAS in place of IPPIS.
Implementation of the Reports of the Visitation Panels. Illegal dissolution of Governing Councils in Federal and State Universities and Proliferation of public universities amongst others.
“Many of these issues have outlived successive governments without any resolution, and other issues have been created by consecutive governments as well, like the implementation of the IPPIS, which came with the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
” It may interest the general public, especially Nigerian Students, to know that through ASUU struggles, Nigerians have enjoyed the following benefits: Regulated/subsidised tuition fees. The establishment of TETFund and NEEDS Assessment funds that have sponsored critical infrastructural projects in our universities, including lecture classrooms, office blocks, roads, hostels, electricity.
” Purchase of laboratory equipment. The implementation of a reviewed salary structure for lecturers (last reviewed 2009). Partial payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).
” Non-victimisation of devoted union members and other victories were made possible by ASUU struggles and strike actions.
Responding to questions from the press, Dr. Kingsley Ubaoji added by saying that the union will withdraw its services as a way of demostrating that we are not happy.
“If they have anyother persons to take over our job, fine and good. We will find ulternative source of income and survival.
“Their children are abroad, they should bring them back to come and teach in our universities with the same facilities we are using.
“Nigeria lecturers are suffering to make ends meet. From the same salaries, we pay our school fees in upgrading our qualifications, pay house rents, electricity bills and feeding.
” In Unizik, we are not properly funded. Their are projects that started since 2008 and have not been completed. There are requirements for sustainance of Universities, why is government creating more Universities. Its not fair but for them, its business and that is were they loot public funds.
” This struggle will continue until the right things are done. Until government seat up and do the needful, ASUU will not give up.
“If the Federal Government sets its priorities right, all this issues will be resolved amicably, without any industrial action.
“But the truth is that government appears to have been treating these issues with some fun which our union finds unacceptable”.
“We therefore call on government to take immediate and decisive action to address this critical issue’s ‘.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the members were seen with different placards such as ‘End poverty-level salaries’. ‘Blame FG for another long strike’. ‘Stop suffocating University lecturers’. ‘Pay us fairly, lecturers dignity matters’. ‘FG, stop deceiving Nigerians’. ‘FG, pay us 3 years plus arrears salaries. ‘We teach, we care, we deserve better pay, amongst others.
