JUST IN: ASUU Issues 21-Day Strike Notice to the Federal Government

 **JUST IN: ASUU Issues 21-Day Strike Notice to the Federal Government**

**By Deborah Tolu-Kolawole**

In a significant development that could impact higher education across Nigeria, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 21-day strike notice to the Federal Government, a step that has once again brought the deteriorating conditions in Nigeria’s public universities to the forefront. ASUU, the body representing lecturers in Nigerian universities, has expressed its discontent over the failure of the government to honor agreements that were previously reached.

Sources within ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) revealed the union's decision during a closed-door meeting held in Ibadan on Sunday, August 18, 2024. At the meeting, ASUU unanimously agreed to give the government a 21-day window to address their concerns or face an indefinite nationwide strike.

**The Context: Years of Unresolved Disputes**

The conflict between ASUU and the Nigerian government is far from new. This recent development is the latest episode in a long-standing series of clashes between both parties over funding, wages, and policies concerning tertiary education in Nigeria. The issues date back to 2009 when an agreement was initially brokered between ASUU and the Federal Government. This agreement outlined several commitments, including improved funding for public universities, payment of earned academic allowances, and the revitalization of university infrastructures. However, many of these promises have remained largely unfulfilled, sparking several waves of industrial action over the past decade.

One of the key issues that remains unresolved is the government's failure to meet the 2009 re-negotiated agreement, which ASUU claims is crucial for the revitalization of Nigeria's public universities. Despite various attempts at renegotiation, these agreements have been neglected for over six years, resulting in a significant backlog of academic allowances that the union claims have accumulated, causing severe financial strain on its members.

In June 2024, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, called an emergency meeting with ASUU to address the ongoing issues, particularly the threat of another strike. Both parties discussed these long-standing grievances, and there was an agreement to meet after two weeks to review any progress made by the government. However, ASUU maintains that there has been little to no advancement in fulfilling the agreements, prompting the union to take the drastic step of issuing this latest strike notice.

**ASUU’s Stand on the Proliferation of Universities**

Among ASUU's numerous grievances is the proliferation of universities across the country. While many see the establishment of new universities as a step toward expanding access to education, ASUU contends that the government has been recklessly approving new institutions without providing adequate funding to sustain them. This lack of funding, they argue, is one of the main reasons for the abysmal state of facilities and the poor quality of education in Nigeria’s public universities.

"The government is creating more universities while failing to fund the existing ones adequately," says ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke. "We have classrooms overflowing with students, yet we are asked to deliver world-class education. It’s impossible under these conditions."

ASUU has been vocal about the necessity of revitalizing Nigeria's universities through a consistent and adequate flow of funds. In 2013, both parties agreed on the *Needs Assessment Report*, which stipulated that the government would commit N200 billion yearly over a five-year period to revamp the universities. Shockingly, according to Professor Osodeke, the government only fulfilled this commitment once, leaving the universities to languish without the necessary funding.

**Financial Struggles of the Union**

Another critical issue on the table is the accumulated academic allowances, which ASUU claims have remained unpaid for more than six years. These allowances, which are supposed to compensate lecturers for extra duties such as supervising postgraduate students and conducting external examinations, have become a point of frustration for ASUU members. Many lecturers have not been paid what they are owed, leaving them in financial distress.

Professor Osodeke explains, "The allowances we are demanding are not new. They have been agreed upon by both parties since 2009. Yet, for more than six years, we have been left waiting, while our members bear the brunt of this government's negligence."

The national president of ASUU stressed that these unresolved issues have further exacerbated the deteriorating condition of universities, making it increasingly difficult for lecturers to carry out their duties effectively.

**Power Tariffs and Rising Costs**

Adding to the challenges faced by the universities, ASUU has raised concerns over the surging cost of running these institutions due to rising power tariffs. With the cost of electricity increasing by 300%, universities across the country are struggling to keep their facilities operational. ASUU has demanded an immediate reversal of these tariffs, stating that the burden is unsustainable for the universities, many of which rely heavily on government subventions.

"In addition to everything else, universities are facing skyrocketing bills for electricity, making it even harder to provide basic amenities for students and staff," said one ASUU official who asked not to be named. "This increase in tariffs has driven operating costs through the roof, forcing some universities to cut back on services just to stay afloat."

ASUU has also called for a review of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), urging the government to convert it into grants for deserving students rather than loans. They argue that loans place an undue burden on students, many of whom struggle to find employment after graduation, making it difficult for them to repay their debts.

**The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Nigerian Universities?**

The next 21 days will be crucial for Nigeria’s education system. If the government fails to meet ASUU’s demands within this window, the union will proceed with its planned strike, leading to a complete shutdown of public universities across the nation. This could leave millions of students stranded, disrupting academic calendars and further delaying the already prolonged courses of study in these institutions.

In a country where strikes are common, this looming industrial action has left many Nigerians frustrated. ASUU's persistent clashes with the government over the same issues have led to extended periods of school closures in the past, some lasting for several months. The frequent disruptions have not only affected students’ academic progress but have also contributed to a decline in the quality of education in Nigeria’s public universities.

Students have expressed their displeasure over the looming strike. For many, the prospect of yet another interruption in their studies is disheartening. "We have spent more time at home than in school due to strikes. I am tired of this situation," said Chioma Okoye, a final-year student at the University of Lagos. "The government and ASUU need to find a lasting solution to these problems. We can't keep going back and forth like this."

Parents are equally concerned, especially those who have struggled to pay their children's school fees and are now seeing their children's education constantly interrupted. "The cost of education is already high, and now we are forced to deal with strikes almost every year. It's exhausting," said Mr. Olayinka Adewale, a parent of two university students. "The government needs to do better. These are the future leaders of the country, and their education should be a priority."

**Conclusion**

The standoff between ASUU and the Federal Government is a stark reminder of the larger systemic issues plaguing Nigeria's education sector. From underfunding and unpaid allowances to the proliferation of under-resourced universities, the challenges are numerous and complex. Yet, until these fundamental issues are addressed, the cycle of strikes and disruptions is likely to continue, much to the detriment of Nigeria’s future leaders.

With just 21 days on the clock, all eyes are now on the Federal Government. Will it rise to the occasion and implement the necessary changes to avert another debilitating strike? Or will the country’s universities once again be plunged into chaos, with the students paying the highest price for the government’s failure to act?

One thing is clear: the next three weeks will be critical for the future of Nigeria's higher education system.