ASUU Mobilizes Members for Nationwide Indefinite Strike, Rejects Tinubu Government’s 40% Revenue Directive

In a decisive move, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called upon its members nationwide to brace for an indefinite strike, citing the failure of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to uphold its agreements with the union. This announcement follows a communiqué issued by ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at Kaduna State University.

The statement from the union addressed a range of issues, including the contentious directive from the Federal Government mandating public universities to remit 40% of their Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to the government’s coffers. ASUU strongly condemned this directive, asserting that universities should not be treated as revenue-generating entities, emphasizing the potential adverse effects on the accessibility and affordability of education in the country.

Furthermore, the NEC criticized the dissolution of Governing Councils of Federal Universities without adherence to established laws. ASUU called for the immediate reinstatement of these councils, highlighting the negative impact on the career advancement of its members and the overall governance of educational institutions.

The statement also revisited the unresolved issues from the 2022 strike, expressing concern that the gains, including budgetary provisions for revitalization and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), are yet to be realized due to delayed fund releases. ASUU urged the Federal Government to expedite the renegotiation process in line with the principles outlined in the Professor Nimi Briggs’ Committee report.

In a show of solidarity, ASUU condemned the recent attack on the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Imo State, denouncing it as a fascist act. The NEC vowed to resist any attempt to politicize the legitimate demands of working people and called for the perpetrators to be apprehended and held accountable within the bounds of the law.

As tension mounts, the academic community awaits further developments, anticipating the potential impact of the proposed indefinite strike on the country’s university system.