ASUU Warning Strike Shuts Down FUT, IBB Universities in Niger

The two-week warning strike initiated by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to advocate for better working conditions and other issues has significantly affected the Federal University of Technology (FUT) in Minna and the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, leading to the halt of all academic activities on both campuses.

In contrast, the newly established Abdulkhadir Kure University in Minna has opted out of the strike because it currently lacks an active ASUU branch.

At both FUT Minna and IBBU Lapai, the sessional examinations that had commenced across all departments over a week ago were suspended, causing students to either wander around the campuses or return to their dormitories.

Prof. Lukeman Oyewobi, the ASUU Chairman at FUT, and Dr Galadima Bala, his counterpart at IBBU, verified the union’s industrial action to THISDAY.

They both emphasised that it is a national order that all faculty members are required to follow.

Oyewobi clarified that there is no competing union or faction of ASUU at FUT, stating, “We are all part of ASUU.”

Bala, on his end, justified the state university’s choice to participate in the strike, explaining, “We will gain the most when our requests are fulfilled,” and added, “We will not have to submit new demands to the government for enhanced working conditions.”

It was reported that NASU members held a meeting on the FUT Minna campus on Monday as they prepared for the ultimatum given to the government, which is set to expire next Monday.