A group of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities have warned that the lingering strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities can lead to disastrous consequences for the nation. In a letter on Monday, the group urged the Federal Government and ASUU to come together and resolve the impasse. The Union, which has been on strike for more than six months, are seeking improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities and academic autonomy among other demands.
One bone of contention for the academics is the non-payment of university revitalization funds, which amounts to about one-point-one trillion naira. But the Federal Government has said it does not have the money to pay such an amount, citing low oil prices during the Muhammadu Buhari administration. Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, says its members remained resolute to get what they need from the Federal Government to compete globally.
ASUU Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter, Ayo Akinwole, who made the assertions on Monday, said lecturers in public universities have been using their blood to sustain public universities. According to him, the union will not sacrifice its members’ welfare and will resist any effort to turn intellectuals into slaves. He noted that the union had given a 14-month strike notice to the Federal Government before commencing the strike in 2022. Akinwole said, even the effort of the Nigerian Inter-religious council in 2021 yielded no results before the union was forced to declare the strike on February 14, stressing that the one-point-one trillion naira for the revitalization of universities was not for lecturers in public universities.
Chidozie Chima | August 27, 2024
