FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Benin Zone has urged the public, particularly critical stakeholders in the university system, to hold government accountable for any industrial action.
The zone endorsed its national body’s decision to issue additional 14-day ultimatum to government to resolve the lingering issues plaguing public universities.
Benin zone comprises the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Benin City; Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma; Adekunle Ajasin University, AAU, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, OAUSTECT, Okitipupa; Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka; Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE, Effurun; University of Delta, UNIDEL, Agbor, Delta State; University of Science and Technology, DSUST, Ozoro, and Dennis Osadebe University, DOU, Asaba.
A statement signed by the Zonal Coordinator, ASUU, Benin Zone, Professor Monday Igbafen and made available to journalists in Benin City, said “after an emergency meeting on Thursday, September 26 at the University of Benin, Benin City, the zone endorsed its national body’s decision to issue additional 14-day ultimatum to government to resolve the lingering issues plaguing public universities.
The union added that following its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting at the University of Ibadan on August 17-18, it gave government a 21-day ultimatum to address these issues.
“However, after reviewing its response on September 19, the union noted that government had failed to fully address the concerns within the stipulated timeframe. Consequently, it granted additional 14 days, starting from September 23.
“The zone urged the public, particularly critical stakeholders in the university system, to hold government accountable for any paralysis resulting from industrial action if their demands remain unaddressed after the additional 14 days.
According to ASUU, “The key issues in contention are: Renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021; release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike action; release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by IPPIS.
“Release of outstanding third-party deductions; funding for public university revitalszation; payment of Earned Academic Allowances, EAA; proliferation of universities by federal and state governments; implementation of visitation panels’ reports; illegal dissolution of Governing Councils, and deployment of University Transparency and Accountability Solution, UTAS, as a replacement for IPPIS.”
It condemned government’s repeated failure to conclude the renegotiation of FGN/ASUU Agreement, which has lingered for over seven years. This failure may exacerbate crises in public universities.
