ASUU to FG: ‘We’re Tired of Promises, Ready for Action’

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed deep frustration over the Federal Government’s failure to address long-standing issues affecting university lecturers and the broader education sector in Nigeria.

ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, speaking on Sunday in Jos, said the union had reached its limit after years of negotiations and unfulfilled commitments.

“We are tired of words and promises,” the ASUU president stated.

He pointed out that the union’s demands, as contained in the 2009 agreement with the government, have always been clear. These include improved conditions of service, university autonomy, academic freedom, sustainable funding, and payment of earned academic allowances.

“Our efforts are frustrated by the government. It has been seven years now since we started the renegotiation with the government.

“It has reached a point that something must give way. We either have an agreement or we don’t. We are tired of words and promises of action. Our members can only respond to action,” he said.

Prof. Piwuna further argued that addressing the decaying infrastructure, low staff morale, growing cultism, and declining quality of education in public universities requires increased investment and better pay for lecturers.

“We believe that the infrastructural decay, demoralised staff, cultism and quality of education in our universities can best be addressed through increased funding and improved remuneration for our members,” he added.

He also stressed the importance of including non-teaching staff in salary reviews, saying this would enhance peace and stability within the system.

“Let me be clear, non-teaching staff of the university should be carried along as our salaries are reviewed. It will promote harmony and stabilise the system,” he stated.

Issuing a firm warning, the ASUU president said the government must be ready to deal with the consequences if it fails to reach an agreement with the union.

“In the days and weeks ahead, the government should be ready to accept whatever they see,” he said.