Unfulfilled promises: ASUU gears up for another showdown with FG

Fears are rising that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is gearing up for another confrontation with the federal government regarding member welfare and working conditions.
The disappointment follows President Bola Tinubu’s failure to fulfil promises to release eight months’ withheld salaries resulting from the 2022 industrial action, the six-month N35,000 wage award, and upward salary review.
The union expressed frustration over the government’s failure to implement agreements, despite Tinubu’s assurance to prevent future strikes.
Tinubu, at the 33rd convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, expressed hope for cooperation with academic unions and assured action to prevent future strikes. However, no significant action has been taken by the current administration, according to 9jaView reports.
Months after Tinubu approved a partial waiver on the ‘No Work, No Pay’ order against striking ASUU members, their salaries remain withheld.
ASUU members have voiced regret over the non-implementation of agreements with the Federal Government, leading to unnecessary hardship for their families.
In addition to withheld salaries, the university workers are yet to be removed from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) as directed by the President.
Last year, Tinubu directed the grant of an exceptional last waiver of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ order on ASUU, but the salaries remain unpaid.
ASUU continues nationwide consultations with members regarding the government’s failure to fulfil agreements.

The union urged the government to abolish IPPIS and embrace the University Transparency Account System (UTAS).
Despite promised wage awards, the government has only managed to pay two out of the six months promised and failed to implement a 35% salary increase for tertiary institution workers.
ASUU National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, lamented the government’s failure to implement agreements reached since Tinubu took office.
Osodeke announced that the National Executive Council is consulting with union branches for a decision on their next line of action.
ASUU UNN branch chairman, Comrade Nobert Oyibo Eze, expressed the difficulty faced by members due to unfulfilled promises and salary constraints.
Eze highlighted the government’s failure to address the reasons for their strikes and the inadequate remuneration faced by university staff.
He also conveyed frustration over the government’s delayed implementation of promised salary increases and the removal of the IPPIS system.
He emphasized that decisions regarding the union’s next actions will be made during the upcoming NEC meeting.