The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that it will shut down public universities across the country if its demands are not met.
The union’s National Executive Council (NEC) met at the University of Abuja on Monday and resolved to take action over what it described as government’s neglect of public universities and the welfare of its members.
In a statement signed by its President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, ASUU said, “If the Federal Government fails to respond to the 14-day ultimatum, public university lecturers will first embark on a two-week warning strike.”
He added that after the warning strike, members “may proceed on a total and indefinite shutdown of universities nationwide if the demands remain unmet.”
The union listed its demands as renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, sustainable funding of universities, revitalisation of public institutions, and an end to the victimisation of ASUU members at Lagos State University (LASU), Prince Abubakar Audu University in Kogi, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Other issues include payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, settlement of delayed promotion arrears spanning over four years, and resolution of unpaid third-party deductions.
