In a recent press briefing held in Lagos over the weekend, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the federal government, indicating a possible return to industrial action if critical concerns regarding university funding remain unaddressed.
Prof. Adelaja Odukoya, the ASUU Coordinator for the Lagos Zone, emphasized the urgent need for increased government investment in public universities.
The ASUU Lagos Zone, representing several prominent institutions including the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), and others, highlighted various unresolved issues.
These include the non-allocation of agreed revitalization funds from the 2023 Budget, unchecked expansion of universities without adequate financial support, protracted delays in renegotiating the 2009 Agreement, and continued reliance on the controversial Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) for salary payments.
Additionally, concerns were raised over delays in receiving Earned Academic Allowances, the use of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) for university operations, incomplete payment of withheld salaries, failure to reinstate dismissed ASUU officials, and lack of disclosure regarding the university’s white paper from the 2021 Visitation Panel.
The union criticized the previous administration’s “No-Work No-Pay” policy, which led to prolonged periods without salary for lecturers. Despite acknowledging a partial salary payment, ASUU deemed it insufficient considering the prevailing economic challenges.
Prof. Odukoya urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to swiftly address these issues to avoid a potential strike. ASUU called for support from the media, labor organizations, student groups, and civil societies to strengthen efforts aimed at improving Nigeria’s public university system.
