Kunle Adelabu
-Warns of another strike
The national body of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has received maximum support from its Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) branch, on its demands from the Federal Government.
ASUU LASUSTECH also backed its national body on its opposition to the replacement of the Chairmen and members of the Governing Councils across Federal institutions which the FG reconstituted.
The union expressed its support at a press conference held at the LASUSTECH Ikorodu campus on Thursday.
Some of the demands of the union are: adequate funding for universities, payment of Earned Revitalized of Public Universities, payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), university autonomy and academic freedom, implementation of the Needs Assessment Report, payment of salary shortfalls and improved working conditions among others.
Comrade Tayo Okulaja, branch Chairman, ASUU LASUSTECH, explained that the union is being forced into another strike action due to the failure of the FG to continue negotiation with ASUU.
“It is not the will of ASUU to go on (another) strike. We have been forced into this situation because the government has refused to have a formal meeting with ASUU”, he said.
“Probably because of protests that we have been going through, the government has been forced just yesterday (Wednesday) to sit down with the executives of ASUU.
“We are hoping that there would be fruitful discussions and resolutions of issues raised, failing which ASUU will insist on strike. That’s the situation we are in right now”, he said.
Speaking on the demands of ASUU, Okulaja said:
“Funding for Revitalization of Public Universities: The 2009 agreement stipulated significant financial commitments by the FGN to revitalise public universities. This include upgrading infrastructure, providing teaching aids, and ensuring conductive learning environments. The 2012 and 2013 MoUs further emphasised the need for consistent and adequate funding.
“Payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA): The 2009 agreement included the payment of Earned Academic Allowances to lecturers. However, payments have been inconsistent, leading to repeated industrial actions by ASUU.
“University Autonomy and Academic Freedom: ASUU has consistently demanded greater autonomy for universities, as outlined in the 2009 agreement. This includes allowing universities to manage their resources and governance without undue interference from the government.
“Implementation of the Needs Assessment Reports: The 2012 and 2013 MoUs included the implementation of the Needs Assessment Report, which highlighted the dilapidated state of infrastructure in universities and recommended significant funding for rehabilitation and development.
“Provision of funds for the revitalization of Universities: the 2017 MoA reiterated the need for substantial funding for universities’ revitalization, as previously agreed upon. ASUU has maintained that without these funds, the quality of education will continue to deteriorate.
“Improved Working Conditions: ASUU has consistently called for improved working conditions, including adequate facilities, better funding for research, and overall better treatment of academic staff to boost morale and productivity”, the union added.
The union Chairman charged the government to focus on adequate funding of the existing universities instead of creating new ones.
He said that the issue is giving ASUU serious concerns.
“The proliferation of public universities in Nigeria, has been a contentious issue, the academic staff union of universities (ASUU), has, however, raised concerns.
“The expanding access to higher education is important, but the proliferation of public universities without adequate planning, funding, and resources, can lead to a decline in educational quality. ASUU advocates for a more strategic approach that prioritizes the development and enhancement of existing universities before establishing new ones.
“The failure to fulfil these agreements has led to numerous strikes and disruption in the academic calendar, highlighting the ongoing tensions and the needs for genuine commitment from both parties, to resolve these longstanding issues”, Comrade Okulaja said.
While stating that ASUU has made up for the over seven months strike that the union embarked upon the last time, Chairman, ASUU LASUSTECH, also alleged that members of the union have not been paid some months salary despite working hard to recover the lost months.
He appealed to members of the public and students to understand their demands and actions.
“As a result of the last strike, the government has not paid the three and half months withheld salaries and the work had been done”.
“Yes, ASUU went on strike for about seven and half months but those months have been recovered.
“ASUU decided not to cancel any session. We have followed through the sessions and that means that we have had to sacrifice breaks, leaves and what have you, to be able to address the backlog of works.
“I also have to tell you that there are various components of our work and not just the teaching. There is the research component and commitment to the community in general.
“People look at the fact that teachings have been disrupted and that is the end of it, but the ASUU work does not start and end with teaching alone.
“To add to this, students may feel that ASUU going on strike means stopping their progress but we have to let them know that majority of ASUU members are also students who are also going to be affected by the strike”, he said.
