Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, don threaten to go on strike again, dis one just five months after dem sign agreement with Federal Government for 2025. Di union say government no dey implement di agreement well, and dem list many grievances wey dey cause wahala for lecturers.
ASUU say di Federal Government no don pay arrears of 25-35 percent wage award for 2025, promotion arrears, pension deductions wey dem no remit, and outstanding three and half months salary wey dem withhold when lecturers strike for 2022. Dem also complain about salary shortfalls wey come from IPPIS system.
Di union talk say di government no dey serious about di proposed National Research Council Bill, wey suppose fund research with at least one percent of Nigeria GDP. Lecturers still dey worry about university autonomy and how dem dey select academic leaders.
But some people dey ask if strike really be di answer. For 14 years, from 2009 to 2023, ASUU and government no fit settle di matter, and strikes dey cause plenty wahala. Students dey suffer, and many never recover from di disruptions. Di 2025 agreement bring some good things: 40 percent salary increase, removal from IPPIS, and pension wey equal annual salary for professors at age 70.
ASUU Lagos zone, wey include UNILAG, LASU, and oda universities, also dey complain. Dem say government no consider di strength of each university to cover salary shortfall. Dem talk say many state governors dey play ostrich, and if dem no address di issues, industrial peace go scatter.
Di union list outstanding matters: arrears of salary award, promotion arrears, unremitted deductions, and withheld salaries. Dem say to deduct money and no remit am na fraud. Dem also call on Lagos State government to recall five ASUU exco members wey dem sack from LASU ten years ago.
Di Federal Government say di transition from IPPIS go get technical hitches, but strike no go solve am. Dem say di ‘no-work-no-pay’ rule na part of law, and President Tinubu don already show magnanimity by paying half of di withheld salaries from 2022 strike.
Many stakeholders believe say ASUU suppose use dialogue and patience, not strike, to resolve di issues. Di union, wey get some of di best brains for Nigeria, suppose help society find solutions, not cause more wahala.
