ASUU Warns of Potential Nationwide Strike Over Federal Government’s Inaction

By Amforgod J. Olisa

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning of a looming nationwide strike due to the Federal Government’s failure to appoint Governing Councils for Federal Universities.

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, conveyed the union’s dissatisfaction at a press conference held at the ASUU national secretariat in Abuja.

The union criticized what it perceived as the Federal Government’s indifferent approach to academic matters in Nigerian Federal Universities under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

In addition to the absence of appointed Governing Councils, ASUU raised objections to the recent salary increments of 35% for professors and 25% for other academics in the university system. They viewed these increments as vulnerable to withdrawal by the government at its discretion.

Addressing reporters at the ongoing press briefing at the University of Abuja, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke emphasized that ASUU had given ample time for the  Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to address these issues.

Furthermore, the union expressed concerns over the dissolution of governing councils for federally owned universities, considering it illegal and contradictory to established university principles.