The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has joined the ongoing strike initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
This decision follows the Federal Government’s failure to meet the unions’ demands for a minimum wage increase.
In a statement on Monday addressed to ASUU’s branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators, ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke instructed university lecturers nationwide to participate in the strike as an affiliate of the congress.
The statement read: “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, June 3, 2024, due to the Government’s failure to renegotiate the minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reverse the hike in electricity tariff. Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress. Consequently, branch chairpersons are to mobilize all members to participate in the strike action. Yours in the struggle.”
ASUU had been considering a strike after criticizing the Federal Government for failing to appoint Governing Councils for Federal Universities. The union also condemned the perceived indifference of President Bola Tinubu’s administration towards issues concerning academics in Nigerian Federal Universities.
During a press briefing at the University of Abuja, ASUU also criticized the 35 percent salary increase for professors and the 25 percent increase for other academic staff, viewing these increments as temporary wage awards that could be withdrawn at any time.
It was reported that the National Universities Commission (NUC) announced the dissolution of the governing councils of all federal universities and boards of other agencies and parastatals on June 22, 2023. This directive followed a similar order by President Bola Tinubu three days earlier to dissolve the boards of all government parastatals, agencies, and companies.
In light of these events, ASUU has decided to join the strike as an affiliate of the NLC and may continue its strike even after the Federal Government resolves the minimum wage issue with the other unions.
