In an attempt to avert possible industrial action, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has made a forceful appeal to the Federal Government, requesting prompt action to honor and implement the agreements previously negotiated between both parties.
In an attempt to avert possible industrial action, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has made a forceful appeal to the Federal Government, requesting prompt action to honor and implement the agreements previously negotiated between both parties.
Mr. Abdulqadir Muhammad, the ASUU Coordinator for the Kano Zone, made this demand during a news conference on Wednesday following the end of a zonal meeting in Kano.
Mr. Muhammad emphasized the urgent need to renegotiate the Federal Government-ASUU 2009 agreement, which was made at a period when the exchange rate was much lower than the present rate. He also highlighted the important concerns at stake.
He pointed out that the value of academic staff pay has been severely undermined by ninety percent due to the abrupt adjustment in the exchange rate to the U.S. dollar from N146 to the present N1,900.
Despite the installation of a new leadership for the negotiation committee, the ASUU coordinator expressed concern over the Federal Government’s unwillingness to sign the draft agreement that was negotiated with the union.
In order to avoid an industrial crisis and instill hope in Nigeria’s public universities, Muhammad said, “the union calls on President Bola Tinubu to immediately set in motion the process of upward-reviewing and signing of the Nimi Briggs Committee’s renegotiated draft agreement.”
Furthermore, Mr. Muhammad verified that ASUU members had received a portion of their seven wages that had been withheld, but he underlined the significance of paying the entire outstanding amount.
In addition, the union demanded that the Kaduna State Government pay the five months’ worth of salary arrears that are owing to Kaduna State University employees.
ASUU demanded, among other things, that promotion arrears and Earned Academic Allowances be paid, as they had not been since the accord.
The union also took issue with the dissolution of public university regulating Councils, citing violations of both the legislation regulating individual universities and the Universities Miscellaneous Acts.
ASUU pushed for a reform of the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) Act in order to address the problem of institutions sprouting up in Nigeria unregulated and without adequate funding.
Speaking to larger national issues, the union criticized the worrisome rate of unemployment, poverty, and insecurity as well as the rising expense of living, all of which have led to widespread destitution and relocation in the nation.
He declared: “ASUU utilizes this chance to appeal to all patriots in the labor movement, civil society, media, and student organizations to support its selfless fight to reposition Nigerian public universities.
“In conclusion, the zone requests that President Bola Tinubu use collective bargaining to faithfully carry out the terms of the agreement it freely signed with the unions.”
