Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday held nationwide protests, warning of an impending strike if the government fails to fulfill agreements signed with the union.

ASUU had called off its last strike on October 14, 2022, which lasted eight months, following a National Industrial Court ruling and interventions by religious bodies and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, now Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. Despite this, the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari withheld their salaries for the strike period, enforcing a ‘no work, no pay’ policy and insisting on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for payment.

Upon taking office, President Bola Tinubu promised to address the issue of withheld salaries, and on February 19, 2024, the Federal Government began paying four months of the owed salaries. However, ASUU remains dissatisfied, demanding full payment for the eight months, rejecting newly-constituted governing councils, and urging the implementation of the 2009 Nimi Briggs committee’s renegotiated agreement.

On Tuesday, ASUU members across the nation marched through their campuses, bearing placards with inscriptions such as “IPPIS is a scam,” “Pay all our outstanding promotion arrears,” and “FG give our children proper education.” At Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, the lecturers were led by ASUU Akure Zone Coordinator, Dr. Adeola Egbetokun, and OAU branch chairman, Prof. Anthony Odiwe. They warned of impending industrial unrest unless the Federal Government returns to the negotiation table.

ASUU listed demands including funding for the revitalization of public universities, based on the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2012, 2013, and the MoA of 2017, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, payment of unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical and adjunct, and the replacement of IPPIS with the University Transparency and Accountability Solution.

Addressing journalists, Prof. Odiwe described the partial payment of withheld salaries as a “Greek gift,” noting that third-party deductions from their salaries were not remitted appropriately. He emphasized the union’s readiness for negotiation, but lamented the Federal Government’s refusal to initiate talks over pending agreements.

In Ilorin, the University of Ilorin branch chairman, Dr. Alex Akanmu, stated that the union preferred the implementation of the FGN-ASUU renegotiation of the 2009 agreement over a 25 percent wage award. He criticized the government for failed promises and deceit, noting the exodus of scholars and low workforce morale.

In Makurdi, Benue State University ASUU Secretary, Terrumun Gajir, condemned the neglect of public universities by successive administrations and called for the payment of the four months withheld salaries. At the University of Port Harcourt, ASUU Chairman Darlington Chima decried the failure to review working conditions, highlighting that 325 senior lecturers promoted as professors had yet to receive their promotion arrears.

In Gombe State, ASUU members from the Federal University of Kashere highlighted their work-related stress and urged the government to prioritize their welfare by renegotiating the 2009 agreements. Comrade Shehu El-Rasheed, ASUU-FUK chairman, noted the dire financial situation of academics, exacerbated by the government’s failure to pay withheld salaries and earned academic allowances.

ASUU’s protests underline the union’s demand for the Federal Government to honor past agreements, address welfare issues, and avoid another round of industrial action that could disrupt the nation’s university system.