The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning, threatening to embark on a nationwide strike action if the government fails to address its demands.
Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, the union’s president gave the warning at a press conference held at the ASUU national headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Osodeke, the federal government’s failure to appoint new governing councils for federal universities, despite dissolving them in May last year, was a great factor contributing to the impending strike action.
He stressed the need for government accountability, stating that the government must be held responsible for its decisions.
ASUU also criticized the current administration, led by President Bola Tinubu, for its apparent nonchalance towards academic matters in Nigerian federal universities.
The Union lamented over the recent salary increment of 35 per cent for professors and 25 per cent for other academics, citing concerns that the wage award could be easily withdrawn by the government at any time.
Their demands include the immediate appointment of new governing councils, a meaningful salary increase, and a commitment to academic autonomy to be within the given timeframe.
