The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Friday urged President Bola Tinubu to initiate the implementation process for the renegotiated agreement between the union and the Federal Government.
This appeal is in accordance with the principles of Collective Bargaining enshrined in the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention.
ASUU Calls For Advocacy
ASUU also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, public-spirited individuals, and global education advocates to plead upon the Tinubu administration and the 36 state governors to take swift and decisive action to address the ongoing crisis.
The union described this crisis as a “mindless and deliberate” attempt to undermine the nation’s education system, and called for urgent and positive steps to arrest the situation.
“The Lagos Zone of ASUU issued the appeal on Friday through its Zonal Coordinator, Professor Adelaja Odukoya, during a press conference held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.”
Professor Adelaja Odukoya, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Lagos Zone, emphasised the urgent need for President Tinubu’s intervention in the university system.
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He stressed that the President’s involvement would not only save the system from collapse but also prevent another avoidable strike by lecturers due to unresolved conditions of service.
Seek Meeting With Tinubu
The union is seeking a meeting with the President to address all issues affecting public universities in Nigeria.
Odukoya highlighted that this intervention would be a crucial demonstration of President Tinubu’s commitment to fulfilling his election promises.
During his campaign, President Tinubu pledged that no child of school age would be forced to stay at home due to avoidable industrial unrest in the nation’s educational institutions.
By resolving the issues plaguing public universities, the President can make good on this promise and ensure a stable and productive academic environment.
ASUU Key Issues
Professor Odukoya identified key issues driving the union’s agitations, including the Federal Government’s refusal to implement the 2009 renegotiated agreement.
Also, the inadequate funding for existing universities, unchecked university proliferation by state governments, and non-payment of withheld salaries and Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) arrears.
“We pray Government would see reason and heed this call.
“ASUU would however wish to put the Nigerian public on notice that Government should be held responsible if our public universities was again goaded into another preventable crisis,” he added.
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