By Akinwale Kasali
After Two days of deliberation at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, the National Executive Committee of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has decided to embark on an indefinite strike. This follows the failure of the Minister for Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, to meet their demands.
The ASUU nationwide strike commenced today, 14th February, 2022.
Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU’s President, on Sunday, said that the strike was against their wish but they had to put the interest of the Union first.
He said, ” I announce to you with a heavy heart the commencement of a nationwide strike starting from 14th February till our needs are met.”
The union had expressed grievances over the failure of the Federal Government to fulfill some of the agreements it made as far back as 2009. ASUU had on November 15, 2021 given the Federal Government a three-week ultimatum over the failure to meet the demands.
The lecturers threatened to embark on another round of industrial action following the alleged “government’s unfaithfulness” in the implementation of the Memorandum of Action it signed with the Union, leading to the suspension of the 2020 strike action.
It would be recalled that after the Union’s National Executive Council meeting at the University of Abuja on November 13 and 14, Osodeke, lamented that despite meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, on October 14, 2021, on issues, including funding for revitalisation of public Universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution, promotion arrears, renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and the inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system payment, none of its demands had been met.
It also lamented the neglect faced by ASUU under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, stressing that Ngige has been a clog in the wheel, prompting ASUU to embark on the indefinite strike.
