ASUU Threatens Action Against Nig Govt Over Failed Agreement 

By Christy Emeka

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed dismay over the Nigerian Government not keeping to their agreement.

Saying that the university lectures are losing their patience over the matter, threatened to take action if the desired response is not given

The ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna made their stand known on Sunday, while speaking in an interview with Punch Newspaper based in Jos.

Piwuna stated that the union could no longer tolerate the government’s repeated failure to honour commitments made in the 2009 agreement.

He lamented that it had been seven years since renegotiations began with the government without any concrete outcome.

Hear him, “Our efforts are frustrated by the government. It has been seven years now since we started the renegotiation with the government.

“It has reached a point that something must give way. We either have an agreement or we don’t. We are tired of words and promises of action. Our members can only respond to action.”Piwuna stated’.

He also noted that the union’s demands for better working conditions, university autonomy, academic freedom, sustainable funding, and earned academic allowances had been on the table for years without resolution.

Talking about the deterioration in public university education, the ASUU leader said the root causes were well-known and preventable.

“We believe that the infrastructural decay, demoralised staff, cultism and quality of education in our universities can best be addressed through increased funding and improved remuneration for our members.

“Improved welfare is crucial to maintaining academic excellence and restoring integrity to the system.”

Piwuna further called for inclusive reforms, urging the government to involve non-teaching staff in salary reviews to avoid institutional friction.

“Let me be clear, non-teaching staff of the university should be carried along as our salaries are reviewed. It will promote harmony and stabilise the system”.

Piwuna cautioned the Federal Government that the union would not be held responsible for the fallout of another breakdown in talks.

“In the days and weeks ahead, the government should be ready to accept whatever they see,” piwuna averred