ASUU gives FG 21-day ultimatum over unmet demands

By Gabriel Dike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has resolved to give the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum in line with labour law.

The decision to issue the Federal Government the ultimatum was taken at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Ibadan (UI) from Saturday, August 17 to Sunday, August 18, 2024.

A source told Daily Sun that the crucial NEC meeting also directed ASUU branches to conduct referendum on whether to embark on strike or not, and if it is strike, whether it will be definite strike or staggered strike.

Daily Sun gathered that the decision to issue FG the ultimatum was based on legal advice given by ASUU’s lawyer, who advised the union to follow due process as stated in the labour.

He said the last strike was suspended because of the legal action taken by the Federal Government, which dragged ASUU to the National Industrial Court (NIC) and the ruling that followed declared the strike illegal.

According to him, branch chairmen were mandated by NEC to conduct referendum before the end of the ultimatum.             

ASUU’s demands include renegotiation of FG/ASUU 2009 agreement, payment of withheld salaries, use of UTAS for salary payment, promotion arrears, stop proliferation of universities, revitalisation for public universities, outstanding Earned Academic Allowance, victimisation of union leaders and non-payment of salaries to members in some state universities.

The union had earlier stated that the Federal Government promised to include the demands in the 2023 budget, which was not done.