The Ministry of Education has announced efforts to prevent another strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Speaking in an interview in Abuja on Sunday, the Director of Press in the ministry, Folasade Biriowo, confirmed that proactive measures are being taken to avert the industrial action.
“I can assure you that everything is being done to prevent the strike from happening. The minister has teams working already so I can give you that assurance,” Birjowo said.
Last week, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address several unresolved issues or face another strike.
The demands include the completion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s 2021 draft, and the release of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike.
ASUU is also calling for the payment of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct roles affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), as well as the settlement of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
The union further seeks funding for the revitalisation of public universities and payment of Earned Academic Allowances, both partially included in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.
Additional concerns include the proliferation of universities by federal and state governments, implementation of visitation panel reports, reversal of the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) to replace IPPIS.
