UNIJOS Prepares for ASUU Strike

The University of Jos Chapter of ASUU has announced on Friday, 17th May it’s readiness to join a nationwide strike if the government fails to meet the 14-day ultimatum set by the NEC.

The University of Jos chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) announced on Friday its readiness to join a nationwide strike if the government fails to meet the 14-day ultimatum set by the union’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

The ultimatum demands the resolution of several outstanding issues, including the reconstitution of the governing councils of federal universities.

ASUU Chairman Jurbe Molwus addressed the press in Jos after an emergency meeting with union members, confirming that the university’s staff are prepared for industrial action.

“The University of Jos ASUU branch convened on Friday, May 17, 2024, to discuss the report from the NEC meeting held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife on May 11-12, 2024,” Molwus stated. “The branch thoroughly reviewed and deliberated on the union’s engagements with the federal and state governments regarding unresolved issues.”

Highlighting the hardships faced by members and the general Nigerian populace, Molwus affirmed the branch’s strong support for the NEC’s 14-day ultimatum. “Our Congress is fully mobilized, although we hope the government will act responsibly to maintain industrial harmony,” he added.

Molwus expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to honor its commitments, noting that the backlog of earned academic allowances, promised in the 2023 National Budget, remains unpaid. He criticized the federal and state governments for not addressing the issues that led to the eight-month nationwide strike in 2022.

He further reported that NEC findings indicated increasing fatalities among members, with many suffering from severe health issues due to work-related stress, financial hardship, and security concerns.

Molwus urged the Federal Government to resume negotiations with ASUU to resolve the longstanding disputes.

Key issues include unpaid allowances, withheld salaries, the sanctity of governing councils, the review of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, revitalization funds for public universities, and the enforcement of the Treasury Single Account policy, among others.

ASUU had threatened a nationwide strike earlier in the week, giving the government a two-week ultimatum to reconstitute the governing councils of federal universities, a step deemed crucial by the union.

READ ALSO: Federal Government Addresses ASUU Concerns Amid Strike Threat

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, PUNCH