The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on Nigerians, especially the National Peace Committee (NPC), to mediate in ongoing disputes with the Federal Government to avert an impending strike over unresolved challenges in the public university education system.
In a recent development, ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government starting from August 17-18, 2024, following a meeting at the University of Ibadan, demanding action on outstanding issues affecting public university education.
Prof. Adelaja Odukoya, the ASUU Coordinator for the Lagos Zone, released a statement on September 29, 2024, titled “Ahead of the Window Closing: Prevail on Nigerian Government,” urging Nigerians to intervene within 14 days, in addition to the previous notice. The Lagos Zone includes universities such as UNILAG, LASU, TASUED, OOU, LASUSTECH, LASUED, and FUNAAB.
ASUU warned that the government’s failure to act would result in a preventable crisis. The union highlighted unresolved matters like the completion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, payment of withheld salaries, and adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as some of the critical issues that need urgent resolution.
ASUU emphasized the government’s lack of engagement since a September 19 meeting and urged Nigerians to press for action to prevent a shutdown of the nation’s universities.
