Cynthia Ezegwu
Academic activities at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) were on Monday brought to a halt as lecturers complied fully with the two-week warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The strike, declared by ASUU’s national leadership, is to press home demands for improved funding of universities, better working conditions, and payment of earned academic allowances, among other issues.
When First Daily correspondent visited the university’s Bauchi Road campus on Monday afternoon, most lecture halls were empty, with students seen loitering around after lecturers failed to show up for scheduled classes.
Confirming the development, the ASUU branch chairman at UNIJOS, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, said members of the union were complying fully with the directive.
“We are complying one hundred percent with the warning strike at UNIJOS,” Prof. Molwus stated. “The Federal Government has been threatening us with ‘no work, no pay,’ but we are not afraid. We will continue to comply until our demands are met.”
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He emphasised that lecturers remain united in their resolve to push for improved conditions of service and increased government investment in public universities.
The warning strike, which began on Monday, has also affected academic activities at the Plateau State University, Bokkos, where the ASUU branch chairman, Dr. Monday Hassan, confirmed full compliance.
“The strike will continue for the next two weeks unless the Federal Government meets the union’s demands,” Dr. Hassan said.
ASUU’s two-week warning strike is expected to serve as a prelude to a possible indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to address the union’s long-standing grievances.