OAU Joins ASUU’s Two-Week Nationwide Warning Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has commenced a nationwide warning strike in accordance with instructions from its national leadership.

Prof. Anthony Odiwe, Chairman of the ASUU OAU chapter, shared this information during a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ile-Ife.

The ASUU chapter at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is participating in the nationwide warning strike following a directive from its national executive.

Odiwe stated that the strike affecting all public universities in Nigeria is due to the federal government’s failure to fulfil its obligations.

He noted that the 14-day notice issued on September 28 had expired without any meaningful response from the appropriate authorities.

Odiwe indicated that after a national executive council meeting, ASUU recognised the disregard for the university system and the government’s failure to implement the earlier agreements made with the union.

He explained that the union had anticipated that the current government would resolve the ongoing problems within the university system as promised, claiming that “no strike would disrupt the academic session”, but the situation has turned out differently.

The ASUU chairman emphasised that the union is advocating for its rights after making numerous attempts to engage in dialogue with the government, showing support and cooperation with the hope that conditions would improve, but without success.

Odiwe detailed that ASUU’s current demands include renegotiating the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of three and a half months of withheld salaries, and sustainable funding for public universities.

He listed other demands, such as the cessation of the victimisation of lecturers at government universities and the payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears.

Additionally, he mentioned the payment of promotion arrears spanning four to seven years and the release of withheld third-party deductions, such as cooperative contributions, among other requests.

The chairman reiterated that the union cannot remain passive while their members continue to suffer, as they have done enough by cooperating with the federal government, which appears unwilling to address the existing issues.

Odiwe criticised the treatment of university academics and the delayed renegotiation of their conditions of service document, which includes concerns over funding and autonomy, submitted by a committee over a year ago that has yet to be addressed.

He therefore urged the federal government to respond promptly to all their demands and to ensure the revitalisation of universities, provision of a good working environment, infrastructure, and a conducive atmosphere for both staff and students.

Odiwe called on the federal government to refrain from threatening ASUU members with “no work, no pay”, emphasising that their current salaries are already insufficient remuneration for their contributions, let alone for their labour. (NAN)