NANS Urges FG To Meet ASUU Demands Over Strike Threat

• The National Association of Nigerian Students has requested a meeting between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to address the strike threat.

• NANS Senate President Akinteye Babatunde ruled a 14-day ultimatum issued by ASUU due to unsatisfactory negotiations with the federal government unwise for the student body.

• ASUU has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, seeking the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and the release of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike action.

In light of the recent potential strike, the National Association of Nigerian Students has urged the Federal Government to engage in discussions with the leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The student organization determined that initiating a strike at this juncture would be unwise. In an interview with our correspondent in Abuja, NANS Senate President Akinteye Babatunde articulated this position in response to ASUU’s newly issued 14-day ultimatum, which was announced on Wednesday due to unsatisfactory negotiations with the federal government.

“We are asking the Federal Government to meet with ASUU and discuss with them because ASUU strike at this point in time is not advisable,” Akinteye said.

ASUU has presented the Federal Government with a 14-day ultimatum to address several ongoing issues. The union is advocating for the finalization of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021, as well as the disbursement of withheld salaries resulting from the 2022 strike.

Furthermore, ASUU is calling for the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, along with the settlement of outstanding third-party deductions, including check-off dues and cooperative contributions.

The union is also seeking financial support for the revitalization of public universities, which is partially included in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, as well as the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, also partially reflected in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.

Additional concerns include the excessive establishment of universities by federal and state governments, the implementation of recommendations from visitation panels to universities, the reversal of the unlawful dissolution of Governing Councils, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution as a substitute for IPPIS.

The President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, articulated his dissatisfaction in a statement released on Wednesday, highlighting the government’s apparent lack of dedication and reliance on delaying strategies. He asserted that such behaviors were exacerbating the crisis within the public university system.

The union indicated that it had engaged with multiple stakeholders and is appealing to concerned Nigerians to encourage the government to resolve these pressing matters.

“In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, 23rd September 2024 during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union.

“The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from the government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud,” ASUU said.