ASUU Asserts: Six Key Issues Remain Unresolved with Federal Government

By Amforgod J. Olisa

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reiterated that it still has six unresolved issues with the federal government, despite previous negotiations.

Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, the National President of ASUU, made this declaration on Thursday during the inauguration of the multipurpose secretariat of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Ibadan (UI) branch.

Osodeke emphasized that ASUU had allowed the federal government ample time to address the outstanding matters but was now preparing its members for potential further disagreements with the government.

Among the pending issues highlighted by Osodeke were the renegotiation of agreements, payment of withheld salaries spanning three and a half months, disbursement of earned academic allowances from the previous year’s budget, release of NEEDS assessment funds also budgeted for the previous year, and the reconstitution of governing councils.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the delay in reconstituting governing councils since June of the previous year, Osodeke clarified that ASUU did not consider the councils dissolved. Rather, government representatives were withdrawn while ASUU’s representatives continued their terms until new appointments were made.

Regarding wage negotiations, Osodeke stressed ASUU’s preference for a negotiated salary rather than the government’s wage award ranging from N25,000 to N35,000. He asserted that ASUU had granted the government ample time for negotiations but now felt the need to apply pressure.

Osodeke also criticized the government’s reliance on external consultants for projects, advocating instead for the hiring of expertise from universities.

The event saw commendations from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, represented by Professor Yemisi Bamgbose, who praised the union’s efforts and described the new secretariat as a center for intellectual discourse and solidarity among union members.

Professor Ayo Akinwole, Chairman of the University of Ibadan ASUU branch, highlighted the significance of the secretariat, emphasizing that it was built through contributions from members without external donations.

Additionally, Professor Omotoye Olorode of the Odoje Biodiversity Centre, Ogbomosho, delivered a lecture on the neoliberal narrative’s impact on ASUU’s strike actions, underscoring the union’s commitment to national development and the welfare of citizens