The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) chapter, has announced its readiness to join a nationwide indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to meet its long-standing commitments to the union.
Speaking after a congress meeting and protest rally on Tuesday, the branch chairman, Dr. Oyibo Eze, said lecturers at UNN were frustrated by the government’s persistent refusal to honour agreements signed since 2009.
“The government’s inability to implement the agreements reached with our union is deeply regrettable. It clearly shows that education is not a priority,” Eze told journalists in Nsukka.
He stressed that the Federal Government would be held responsible for any disruption in academic activities should ASUU declare an indefinite strike nationwide.
In line with directives from ASUU’s national leadership, members of the UNN chapter staged a peaceful protest across major roads within the campus, ending at the university’s administrative building.
Protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as:
“Federal Government, honour the 2009 ASUU agreement”
“Our wives and children are hungry; pay our three-and-a-half months’ salaries”
“FG, please pay lecturers’ wage awards of 25% and 35%.”
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Dr. Eze said the turnout was a reflection of the lecturers’ frustration and resolve to press home their demands.
“Our congress has made it clear: enough is enough. We urge the Federal Government to settle the three-and-a-half months’ salaries owed to our members and implement all pending agreements. If not, we are ready to join the nationwide action,” he stated.
Addressing the demonstrators, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, represented by his deputy (Administration), Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwo, commended the union for conducting a peaceful protest.
He appealed for restraint, urging ASUU to treat a nationwide strike as a last resort while exhausting all avenues of dialogue with the government. He also assured the protesters that their demands would be formally conveyed to the Federal Ministry of Education.
ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) is expected to meet on September 2 to decide on the proposed strike, following further negotiations with the Federal Government slated for August 28.
Meanwhile, protests have been held across several universities as ASUU intensifies pressure on the government to meet its commitments, including unpaid arrears and wage award implementation.