ASUU Meets August 1, Strike Enters 155th day

Sponsored Links

The National Executive Council of the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities is scheduled to hold its meeting in the first week of August, 2022, The PUNCH has reliably gathered.

Our correspondent learnt that a decision on whether to suspend or continue with the strike, which enters its 155th day on Tuesday (today), will be taken at the meeting.

The PUNCH reports that ASUU, on Monday, February 14, 2022, embarked on the industrial action over what the union described as the failure of the government to address some of its demands.

The chairman of ASUU, Federal University of Technology, Minna chapter, Dr Gbolahan Bolarin, confirmed the planned meeting to our correspondent on Monday.
Bolarin said the meeting would be held either on July 30 or August 1, 2022.

ASUU had cautioned the government against the proliferation of tertiary institutions and the failure to approve the deployment of the Universities Transparency Accountability System.

The union had also insisted on the release of the White Paper of the visitation panels to universities and the release of revitalisation funds for the development of universities, among others.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, recently accused the union of engaging in a lopsided agreement with the Federal Government through the Prof Nimi Briggs committee.

Ahead of the NEC meeting however, Bolarin ruled out the possibility of suspending the strike.

According to him, the government has not brought anything to the table that can lead to such decision.

“We are not even at a point to vote on continuation or not because there is nothing from the Federal Government yet.
“The NEC will be holding its meeting early next month (August). That should be August 1. The meeting might even be on July 30,” he said.

NUC tasks vice chancellors

Meanwhile, the National Universities Commission on Monday called on Vice Chancellors to support ongoing efforts by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to put an end to ongoing strike in the country’s public universities.
The commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, made the call in Abuja during the opening of the 2022 NUC management retreat with vice chancellors of Nigerian universities.

Rasheed said, “Our universities have been confronted with uncertainties due to the unfortunate strike.

“ASUU strike is in the sixth month and, as vice-chancellors, we know the negative consequences of the prolong closure of universities. We know what it means in-terms of its effect on the economy of a nation.

“As vice chancellors, we know what it means in terms of our institutional reputation and the future of our youths.

“University education is fundamental to success and a nation’s economy. Nations explore teaching, research and community development for aspiration of goals.”

Immediately after the opening of the retreat, some of the vice chancellors accompanied Rasheed to a stakeholders’ meeting on the ASUU strike.

When asked if the union would discuss the ongoing strike, the ASUU chairperson said, “That is about the only issue”.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, had yet to reply to inquiries by The PUNCH on developments concerning the strike as of the time of filing this report.

FAQs: ASUU Meets August 1, Strike Enters 155th Day

1. When is ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled?
ASUU’s NEC meeting is scheduled for early August 2022, with sources indicating it could take place on July 30 or August 1, 2022. The meeting will determine whether to suspend or continue the strike.

2. How long has the ASUU strike lasted?
As of the time of the report, the strike had entered its 155th day. The industrial action began on February 14, 2022 and involves the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-based unions.

3. Why is ASUU on strike?
ASUU’s demands include:

Release of the White Paper of visitation panels to universities
Approval and implementation of the Universities Transparency Accountability System
Release of revitalization funds for Nigerian universities
Addressing issues related to the proliferation of tertiary institutions

4. Has the government made any progress to resolve the strike?
According to ASUU officials, the Federal Government has not provided anything substantial that can lead to suspension of the strike. ASUU believes negotiations so far are incomplete.

5. What role is the National Universities Commission (NUC) playing?
The NUC has called on vice-chancellors to support the Minister of Education and other stakeholders in resolving the strike. NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, highlighted the negative impact of prolonged university closures on students, institutions, and the national economy.

CREDIT: PUNCH