The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again urged the federal government to honor its various agreements, expressing reluctance to resort to strikes unless left with no alternative.
During separate press briefings, the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University emphasized the need to prioritize funding for existing universities over establishing new ones that cannot be adequately supported.
Since 2019, both the federal government and ASUU have entered into and signed agreements aimed at improving welfare and infrastructure across universities. However, several strikes have been undertaken to compel the government to fulfill its commitments.
Addressing journalists, the University of Ilorin branch of ASUU outlined several outstanding demands to draw attention to their plight.
Similarly, the Kwara State University branch appealed to education stakeholders to intervene with the federal government, questioning the approval of new universities while existing ones languish.
Both branches conducted awareness campaigns on their campuses, highlighting their aversion to strikes except as a last resort.
Dr. Alex Akanmu, Chairman of ASUU UniIlorin, elaborated to journalists on some of the unresolved agreements.
He said, “Barely a year ago when the present administration was inaugurated, all hopes were high on timely resolution of our demands, given the pseudo-democratic roles played by some elements now in government. True to nature, they acted contrary and became more anti-labour to the appropriation. With joint efforts we have a country to rescue, we assure you that we shall overcome. For the avoidance of doubt, a few of our issues with the government are hereby brought to the notice of the public”
He listed one of the unmet agreements to include, the federal government/ASUU renegotiation of the 2019 agreement.
On his part, Chairman ASUU KWASU, Dr Shehu Salau, said about three and half months of salaries were still being owed by the federal government.
He said, “ASUU condemns the deceitfulness of concerned authorities in the lives and members of our members across campuses. We warned that it will be unfortunate if we are forced to take action to demand the redress of all outstanding issues.
“ASUU is not strike moulders. We don’t want a strike. But by the time we are forced to take action- in most of our universities, about three and half months of our salaries are still being withheld. The government should immediately pay back those salaries.”.