Following the Federal Government’s submission that agreement signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, was under duress, and so has not been met, ASUU members from Owerri Zone, has reportedly threatened a total showdown with the Federal Government over the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement.
This was reportedly disclosed by the union during a press conference at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, on Monday, adding that it would embark on an indefinite strike as “the magnanimity of ASUU that resulted in various MOUs and MOAs arising from the 2009 agreement has been spurned by the Federal Government.”
According to the ASUU Zonal Coordinator in Owerri, Mr Uzo Onyebinama, some lecturers are being owed as much as 10 months’ salary.
He stated that, “As we speak now, the Federal Government is in arrears of major components of the agreement, and that includes funding for the revitalization of public universities, earned academic allowances, and the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.”
He added that, “The consequences of the Federal Government’s refusal to implement the 2009 agreement is that the union has resolved to go on an indefinite strike any moment and once it begins, it will not stop until all agreements are fulfilled.”
In addition, the ASUU Benin zonal Coordinator, Prof. Fred Esumeh, stated that, “Strike is less frequent in the western world because their governments act. But here in Nigeria, you have to go on strike frequently before government can act.”
He added that, “The Nigerian universities are no longer attractive to foreign lecturers, including those from neighbouring countries.”
He made it known that, “This is due to the prevailing slave wage where the highest ranked professor earns less than a thousand dollars monthly.”
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