The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially joined the ongoing strike initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
This action follows the Federal Government’s failure to meet the unions’ demands regarding the minimum wage.
In a statement released on Monday, ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke directed university lecturers nationwide to join the strike as an affiliate of the congress. The statement was addressed to branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators of ASUU.
“The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June 2024, due to the Government’s failure to conclude the renegotiation of the minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reverse the hike in electricity tariffs,” Osodeke stated.
“Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress. Consequently, branch chairpersons are to mobilize all members to participate in the strike action. Yours in the struggle.”
This development follows ASUU’s prior contemplation of a strike action in response to the Federal Government’s failure to appoint Governing Councils for Federal Universities.
Additionally, ASUU has criticized the Federal Government’s perceived indifference towards academic issues in Nigerian Federal Universities.
During a press briefing at the University of Abuja, ASUU also rejected the recent 35% salary increment for professors and 25% increment for other academic staff, describing it as a temporary wage award that could be withdrawn at any time.
It was reports that on June 22, 2023, the National Universities Commission (NUC) announced the dissolution of the governing councils of all federal universities and boards of other agencies and parastatals.
This directive followed President Bola Tinubu’s order three days earlier to dissolve the boards of all government parastatals, agencies, and companies.
Given these circumstances, ASUU has decided to join the NLC and TUC strike as an affiliate.
The union has indicated that its participation in the strike might continue even after the Federal Government resolves the minimum wage issue with the striking unions.