THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on its members nationwide to get ready for an indefinite strike action due to the failure of the present administration of President Bola Tinubu to fulfill the agreement it made with the union. ASUU has also expressed its disapproval of the enforcement of the Federal Government directive, requiring public universities to remit 40% of their Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to the government’s coffers. These statements were outlined in a communiqué by the union president, Emmanuel Osodeke, on Monday.
The union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting was held at the Kaduna State University (KASU) where they discussed various issues affecting the Nigerian University System (NUS) and the country. The statement from the NEC highlighted the need for improved conditions of service, funding for revitalization, university autonomy, and academic freedom, among other related matters. ASUU condemned the dissolution of Governing Councils of universities without adhering to the laws establishing them and called for the reinstatement of the Governing Councils of Federal Universities without delay.
ASUU also condemned the directive for Federal Universities to remit 40% of their Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to the government, emphasizing that universities are not revenue-generating agencies and expressed concern about the affordability and accessibility of education in the country. Additionally, ASUU strongly denounced the attack on the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Imo state, vowing to resist any attempt to politicize the legitimate demands of the working people and demanding that the perpetrators of the attack be held accountable according to the law.
The ASUU directives to its branches to mobilize its members and the detailed review of various issues reflect the union’s resolve to push for its demands and advocate for better conditions within the Nigerian University System.
