To highlight their plight, the University of Ilorin branch of ASUU addressed journalists, detailing numerous unmet requests.
By Arex Stefani
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again urged the federal government to implement its various agreements, stating that it resorts to strikes only when absolutely necessary.
At separate press conferences, representatives from the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University emphasized the need for funding existing universities rather than establishing new ones that cannot be adequately supported.
Since 2019, when the federal government and ASUU signed multiple agreements regarding welfare and infrastructure improvements across universities, several strikes have been staged to compel the government to honour these agreements.
To highlight their plight, the University of Ilorin branch of ASUU addressed journalists, detailing numerous unmet requests.
Similarly, the Kwara State University branch appealed to education stakeholders to persuade the federal government to prevent the deterioration of the education system, questioning the approval of new universities while existing ones are neglected.
Both branches demonstrated on their campuses with signs stating that they do not enjoy going on strike and do so only as a last resort.
Speaking to journalists, ASUU UniIlorin Chairman, Dr. Alex Akanmu, highlighted some of the unfulfilled agreements.
He said, “Barely a year ago when the present administration was inaugurated, all hopes were high on timely resolution of our demands, given the pseudo-democratic roles played by some elements now in government. True to nature, they acted contrary and became more anti-labour to the appropriation. With joint efforts we have a country to rescue, we assure you that we shall overcome. For the avoidance of doubt, a few of our issues with the government are hereby brought to the notice of the public”
He listed one of the unmet agreements to include, the federal government/ASUU renegotiation of the 2019 agreement.
On his part, Chairman ASUU KWASU, Dr Shehu Salau, said about three and half months of salaries were still being owed by the federal government.
He said, “ASUU condemns the deceitfulness of concerned authorities in the lives and members of our members across campuses. We warned that it will be unfortunate if we are forced to take action to demand the redress of all outstanding issues.
“ASUU is not strike moulders. We don’t want a strike. But by the time we are forced to take action- in most of our universities, about three and half months of our salaries are still being withheld. The government should immediately pay back those salaries.”.
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