The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has explained why it has put its proposed nationwide strike on hold, despite months of persistent threats to take action over the federal government’s unmet demands.
The union’s decision is based on fresh promises made by the government to address their concerns this time around.
The President of the union, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, provided this explanation in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Tribune over the weekend when asked for an update on their issues with the federal government.
According to him, the government has yet to take any serious action regarding their concerns. However, it has made a number of new promises with a set timeline, upon which the union’s decision is based.
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When asked to specify the new promises, he said, “Our demands remain the same. These include the issue of revitalization funds, our unpaid earned academic allowances and other entitlements, our withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, the renegotiation of our previous agreement, and so forth.
“The last time we met with the government, we were informed that our concerns, especially the revitalization funds, earned academic allowances, and withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries would be addressed in the current national budget and that the funds would be released immediately after the budget’s passage.
“Now, the budget has been passed and signed for implementation.
“There is no longer any excuse for the government not to take action as promised. We are giving them until the end of this month (March) to fulfill their commitments before we decide our next course of action as a union.”
Osodeke noted that although ASUU does not rely on promises but on concrete action—especially when dealing with the government due to past experiences of unfulfilled commitments—the union is willing, this time, to give the government the benefit of the doubt.
“We are giving the government this opportunity, especially since it has provided some evidence of commitment in the 2025 budget and has involved the Accountant-General of the Federation in addressing our demands.
“That is why we are waiting, and we will wait until the end of this month,” he emphasised.
and then