The Academic Staff Union of Universities has cautioned that it might consider another industrial action if the federal government fails to release the N170 billion earmarked in the 2023 budget for university revitalization and address other critical concerns.
In a press briefing in Lagos over the weekend, Prof. Adelaja Odukoya, the ASUU Coordinator for the Lagos Zone, stressed the imperative need for increased government investment and attention to public universities.
The ASUU Lagos Zone comprises various institutions, including the University of Lagos, Lagos State University in Ojo, Tai Solarin University of Education in Ijagun-Ijebu Ode, Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago-Iwoye, Lagos University of Science and Technology in Ikorodu, Lagos University of Education in Otto-Ijanikin, and the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB) in Abeokuta.
Odukoya highlighted unresolved issues such as the non-allocation of agreed revitalization funds, despite their inclusion in the 2023 Budget, the uncontrolled expansion of federal and state universities without necessary financial support, prolonged delays in renegotiating the 2009 Agreement, and continued reliance on the “misleading IPPIS” for salary payments.
He also outlined additional concerns, including the ongoing delay in receiving Earned Academic Allowances, the use of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) for university operations, incomplete payment of eight months of withheld salaries, the failure to reinstate ASUU officials dismissed from LASU five years ago, and the non-disclosure of the university’s white paper from the 2021 Visitation Panel.
The union criticized the “No-Work No-Pay” policy enforced by the previous administration, resulting in extended periods without salary for the lecturers. While acknowledging partial salary payments, the union deemed it inadequate and dismissive of prevailing economic difficulties.
Prof. Odukoya appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to swiftly address these issues to prevent another strike. ASUU called for support from the media, labor movement, student organizations, and civil societies to strengthen efforts in improving the public university system in Nigeria.
