ASUU Threatens Two-Week Warning Strike Over Unmet Demands
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reaffirmed its decision to commence a two-week nationwide warning strike if the Federal Government fails to address its lingering demands by October 13.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, disclosed this during the union’s Orientation and Leadership Training themed “Understanding the Principles of the Union” at the Niger Delta University Branch in Amassoma, Bayelsa State.
Dr. Piwuna noted that the decision was final, stressing that the union would begin the strike at midnight on Monday if the government fails to act. “The warning strike has already been declared. We will commence it by midnight of Monday, and after the two weeks, the union will reconvene to decide on an indefinite and comprehensive strike,” he said.
He lamented that the government had failed to honor its commitments regarding the re-negotiation of the 2009 agreement, describing the long delay as unacceptable. “We have exercised patience for years. The government was given three weeks to respond but has remained silent,” he added.
The ASUU president also criticized the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, arguing that it is unrealistic in the current economic situation. “In a nation where unemployment is high and families struggle to feed, how do they expect students to repay loans? If they truly wish to support education, they should provide grants, not loans,” he stated.
Piwuna further questioned the financial practices of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), expressing concern over reports that the agency, despite being less than a year old and having fewer than 100 staff, allegedly spent about N14 billion on personnel costs—an amount far exceeding what many universities with over 1,000 staff members spend annually.
He maintained that ASUU’s planned action was a result of years of unfulfilled promises and neglect, urging Nigerians to understand that the strike was a last resort following repeated failed negotiations with the government.
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