By Okeke Eunice
The National Association of Nigerian Students has urged the Federal Government to engage with the leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities concerning the recent threat of a strike.
The student organization emphasized that a strike is not a wise option at this time.
NANS Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde, shared this information in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja, following a new 14-day ultimatum issued by ASUU on Wednesday due to unsuccessful negotiations with the Federal Government.
Akinteye stated, “We are urging the Federal Government to engage in discussions with ASUU, as a strike by ASUU is not a prudent option at this moment.”
ASUU issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address several ongoing issues. The union is requesting the finalization of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, following the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement from 2021, and the payment of withheld salaries resulting from the 2022 strike.
Furthermore, ASUU is calling for the payment of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments impacted by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, as well as the settlement of outstanding third-party deductions, including check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
The union is also requesting funding for the revitalization of public universities, which is partially included in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, along with the payment of Earned Academic Allowances that are also partly addressed in the same budget.
In a statement released on Wednesday, ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke expressed his frustration with the government’s lack of commitment and use of delay tactics, asserting that these actions were exacerbating the crisis within the public university system.
The union stated that it had engaged with various stakeholders and was appealing to concerned Nigerians to encourage the government to tackle these issues.
In light of the above, ASUU has decided to grant the Nigerian Government an additional 14 days, on top of the previous 21 days, starting from Monday, September 23, 2024, to ensure that all outstanding issues are effectively resolved to the satisfaction of the union’s members.
ASUU stated, “The union cannot be held accountable for any industrial unrest that occurs due to the government’s failure to take advantage of the new opportunity provided by ASUU to prevent the impending crisis.”