The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) branch, has declared its readiness to participate in a nationwide indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to honour agreements previously reached with the union. The decision was made following the branch congress and a peaceful protest rally held on campus on Tuesday.
Chairman of ASUU-UNN, Dr. Oyibo Eze, while briefing journalists, criticised the government’s continued neglect of agreements dating back to 2009, describing it as evidence that education is not a priority. He stressed that the government would be solely responsible for any industrial action if the demands remain unresolved. “The government’s inability to fulfil agreements with our union since 2009 is deeply unfortunate. It demonstrates a clear disregard for education,” he stated.
Eze explained that the rally, which was organised in line with directives from ASUU’s national leadership, was to remind the government of its obligations, particularly the payment of three-and-a-half months’ withheld salaries and the implementation of wage awards of 25 and 35 percent for lecturers. According to him, members unanimously resolved to support any nationwide strike should the government continue to renege on its promises. Placards carried during the protest bore inscriptions such as: “FG, honour the 2009 ASUU agreement,” and “Our wives and children are hungry; pay our three-and-a-half months’ salaries.”
The protest saw lecturers march across major roads on the UNN campus before converging at the administrative building, where they were addressed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, represented by his deputy, Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwo. The Vice-Chancellor commended ASUU members for maintaining peace during the demonstration and urged them to consider industrial action only as a last resort, assuring that their demands would be forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Education.
Meanwhile, ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) is expected to meet on September 2 to decide the union’s next line of action after scheduled talks with the Federal Government on August 28. The outcome of the meeting will determine whether the union proceeds with the proposed indefinite nationwide strike.
