The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve long-standing issues affecting Nigeria’s public universities.
The union’s decision followed a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, in a statement signed and released in Abuja on Monday, said government neglect of the university system and failure to meet commitments has pushed the union toward industrial action.
“ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an ultimatum of 14 days within which to address these issues. If, at the end of the 14 days, nothing is done, the Union may have no option but to embark on a two-week warning strike and, if necessary, a total and indefinite strike,” the statement read.
The Federal Ministry of Education had earlier set up a committee led by its Permanent Secretary, Abel Enitan, to review ASUU’s proposals and recommend a way forward. But as of Monday, no decisions have been made public.
ASUU’s demands include the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with the Federal Government, payment of outstanding salary arrears, improved revitalisation funds for universities, and a sustainable system of funding tertiary education.
