ASUU Warns of New 21-Day Strike as Tensions with FG Escalate”

Nigeria university lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government for a planned nationwide strike.

• The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a fresh 21-day strike notice to the Federal Government. This decision emerged from the union’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Ibadan over the weekend.
• Although ASUU has not officially announced its position, a senior member revealed to our correspondent in Abuja that the lecturers have decided to give the Federal Government a 21-day notice before initiating the proposed industrial action.
• In July, ASUU had threatened to launch an indefinite strike over the Federal Government’s failure to implement the renegotiated 2009 agreement.

In July, Melemi Abatcha, Chairman of the ASUU Gashua branch in Yobe State, addressed a press briefing in Damaturu, the state capital, highlighting key issues affecting Nigeria’s educational sector. He pointed to inadequate funding for the revitalization of public universities, including the need for improved infrastructure, better teaching and learning environments, upgraded student and staff accommodation, and enhanced laboratory and library facilities. Additionally, he noted that Nigerian university staff have remained on the same salary scale since 2009.

Abatcha also criticized the Federal Executive Council’s directive to remove ASUU from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform, which has not yet been implemented. Despite this directive, ASUU members continue to be paid through the contentious IPPIS system.