The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned that it may resort to industrial action again if the Federal Government fails to pay the outstanding balance of lecturers’ salaries withheld during the 2022 nationwide strike.
ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, issued the warning on Friday during a press conference in Jos, Plateau State. He was joined by other union officials, including Bauchi Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Timothy Namo; branch chairmen from the University of Jos and Plateau State University, Profs Jurbe Molwus and Dr Vincent Choji; and the union’s Legal Committee chairman.
Addressing journalists, Piwuna read the union’s position paper titled: “Nigerian Universities and Nigeria Today: Our Worries, Our Propositions.”
Speaking on the 2022 strike fallout, Piwuna accused the government of reneging on its commitment.
“In words and deeds, the Federal Government appears to have turned its back on paying the outstanding balance of lecturers’ three-and-half months arising from the 2022 nationwide strike action of ASUU,” he said.
He recalled that the union had earlier commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for paying four out of the seven-and-half months’ salaries withheld by the previous administration.
However, he added, “The non-payment of the balance has left a strong bitter taste in the mouths of ASUU members.”
Piwuna said ASUU had consistently argued that lecturers made sacrifices to make up for lost academic time after the strike, and that settling the arrears would help sustain peace on campuses.
According to him, the union’s National Executive Council has rejected the government’s position and “resolved to use all legitimate means available to the union to make the government reciprocate the goodwill ASUU members have demonstrated.”
Piwuna also condemned what he described as the victimisation of union members in some universities.
“The recent harassment of our members by Vice Chancellors in the following universities, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Imo State University (IMSU), and very recently Abia State University (ABSU), will not be tolerated by NEC,” he warned.
“For the avoidance of doubt, NEC will not consider calling off the action in these universities, until the victimisation of our members stops.”
He further accused the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation of deliberately stalling the payment process.
ASUU said a comprehensive review of the education sector is also needed to address the recurring issues that lead to strike actions.
