ASUU insists on unconditional release of withheld salaries, threatens strike

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The Academic Staff Union of the University of Abuja Zone has called on the Federal Government to implement the 2009 agreement and release their three-and-a-half months’ withheld salaries to avoid a strike.

The Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Abuja Zone, Prof. Al-Amin Abdullahi, made the call during a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

“There is a crisis that is affecting universities in Nigeria, and it is not just a problem for ASUU; it is a problem for the entire country.

“The purposeful mortgage of a nation’s future and the endangerment of generations yet to be born is the result of a nation’s disregard of education.

“Until Nigeria has a university system that assures effective education, excellent research, innovation, and sustainable national development, the Academic Staff Union of Universities will not give up,” he said.

He reiterated that the ASUU, Abuja Zone was demanding the payment of promotion arrears of its members, unconditional release of their three and a half months of withheld salaries, and release of third-party deductions to the union and cooperatives.

Also, the payment of one year’s arrears of 25/35 per cent salary award to its members, the implementation of the new conditions of service for its members, and the adoption of UTAS as a payment system for universities.

“It is impossible for a nation to advance or develop beyond the level of the standard of its university system.

“In spite of this, successive administrations in Nigeria have made the decision to underfund universities on a systemic basis, which has resulted in the nation’s institutions having deteriorating infrastructure.

“Overcrowded classrooms, laboratories that are inadequately equipped, and hostel amenities that are uninhabitable,” he said.