Sign agreement before August 28 deadline to avert strike, ASUU tells FG

Lecturers under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Ibadan (UI) and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUE), Oyo, embarked on peaceful protest on Tuesday, saying that only the signing of the renegotiated agreement on August 28 at the union’s meeting with the federal government team could stop another industrial strike in Nigeria’s public universities.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the ASUU members went round campuses, sensitising the university community on the probability of another industrial action if the government does not finalise the signing of the agreement already reached with the Union.

Chairman of the UI Chapter of ASUU, Dr Adefemi Afolabi, was joined by the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress in Oyo State, Mr Kayode Martins, in the protest, while that of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education was led by its chairman, Dr Michael Bamidele Ojo.

During the protest march, ASUU members sang, accusing President Bola Tinubu of forgetting his promises during the campaign.

They demanded that the welfare of university lecturers in public universities should attract the attention and urgent intervention of President Tinubu.

Addressing journalists in front of the UI gate, Afolabi said that the federal government had pushed lecturers to the wall.

He said, “There has been inadequate progress in the negotiation between the federal government of Nigeria and the Union in the past 16 years.

“This has contributed to low morale and brain drain, while the best brains have decided to leave the profession due to the poor remuneration and conditions of service.”

He urged Nigerians, including opinion leaders, religious and traditional authorities, civil society organisations, parents of students and all stakeholders, “to advocate for the federal government to sign the re-negotiated agreement by August 28, 2025.

“Only through this action can the Tinubu administration prevent an impending nationwide industrial crisis across university campuses and fulfil the promises made during the election campaign.”

On his part, the ASUU Chairman, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo chapter, Dr Ojo, stated: “We can no longer allow the welfare of our members to be subjected to the delay tactics of this Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government.”

Ojo said further: “ASUU therefore invites all genuine patriots to prevail on the federal government, including the university administrations, to address all lingering labour issues in the Nigerian University system.”

He warned against another looming industrial crisis if the government fails to address these concerns.

“ASUU may be forced to take industrial action which could disrupt the academic calendar and have reaching consequences for the university community,” he said.

Speaking at the rally, Oyo State NLC chairman, Comrade Martins, in reference to lecturers in Nigerian universities, urged President Tinubu to preserve those who lay the golden eggs by signing the agreements and commencing implementation without delay.

He said that it was sad to hear politicians agitating for more pay when professors are poorly remunerated.

“Those who lay the golden eggs must be preserved; they are the moulders and builders of our destinies.

“Education should be given appropriate attention because that is what drives development in any nation. We are talking of the 2009 agreements unimplemented, and today, political office holders are agitating for more salaries when professors are paid less.

“This should not be. We are beckoning on our leaders to save us if indeed they have a mind for the masses,” the NLC chairman stated.

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