Contrary to optimistic reports that it might soon come to an end, the
management of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has
said that the academic strike, which it embarked on 89 days ago, will
continue.
This latest update on the strike, which has crippled academic
activities in universities across the country, was given in a statement
yesterday by the chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG)
chapter of the body, Karo Ogbinika.
This is in spite of the intervention by Vice President Namadi Sambo
in bringing the lecturers back to the negotiation table.
Dr. Ogbinika reportedly said that ASUU pulled out of negotiations with
the Federal Government, which was represented by Benue State
Governor Gabriel Suswam, last month based on the government’s
insincerity and non-commitment.
He said the Presidency intervened, calling for another round of
meetings with Vice President Namadi Sambo last week which,
according to ASUU, also ended in a stalemate.
The teachers are seeking proper funding of education and the
payment of their N87 billion earned allowances.
These are part of the 2009 agreement between the teachers and the
government. The government has offered N30 billion for the earned
allowances and made available N100billion for projects on the
campuses. The lecturers rejected the offer. The strike has been on
since July 1.
The union said it was disappointed because it hoped the
Presidency’s intervention would dampen the tension the strike had
generated; but, rather, the government was re-echoing the same
stance by Suswam, which was why ASUU withdrew from the
negotiation.
ASUU said: “After the meeting on September 19 with the Vice-
President, it is clear that the Federal Government is merely paying lip
service to education in Nigeria and deceiving the public on its
commitment to its transformation agenda.
“The Nigerian people should not be deceived. How can there be a
meaningful transformation when the education sector is neglected
and gradually taken over by private entrepreneurs, including
government functionaries who are busy building private universities
with stolen funds in and outside Nigeria. Can these universities be
truly called private?
“ASUU is assuring Nigerians that it will not back out in its struggle to
ensure that the government is made to do what is right in the
education sector. This is a commitment that all members of the union
have vowed to pursue to its logical conclusion.”
The union said it had reported back to its various zones many of
which still insisted the strike must continue.”
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