ASUU warns of strike action due to unresolved issues

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Lagos has indicated that it may consider a strike if the government fails to address its demands following extensive nationwide protests.

For several weeks, ASUU chapters have been actively protesting across the country. They have also written open letters to the Federal Government, urging the implementation of agreements previously made with the union.

On Thursday, ASUU-UNILAG members and students protested against the government’s failure to address nine specific demands. The students joined their lecturers, holding placards with messages such as “Education is life; proper funding of university education is non-negotiable,” “Lecturers too want an earthly reward for teaching all professionals,” and “Stop establishing universities you cannot fund.” The protest march went from Julius Berger Hall on campus to the university gate and then returned to the ASUU-UNILAG secretariat.

During the protest, ASUU-UNILAG Chairman, Prof. Kayode Adebayo, emphasized that the protests aim to raise public awareness about the government’s neglect of the union’s demands. He warned that if the protests yield no results, ASUU may decide to strike at their next National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. Former ASUU-UNILAG Chairman, Dr. Dele Ashiru, criticized the government’s insensitivity and underfunding of education, highlighting that lecturers have been receiving the same salary since 2009. The protesters also distributed handbills listing their demands, which included renegotiation of agreements, the release of withheld salaries, funding for university revitalization, and implementation of various reports and solutions.