ASUU Begins Indefinite Strike, Demands Payment Of All Allowances

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has begun an indefinite strike, bringing to a halt all academic activities across Federal and State universities across the country.

The decision follows its National Executive Council meeting held over the weekend in Abuja.

The academic body wants the Federal Government to fully implement agreements reached in 2009 and 2013.

University lecturers are also demanding payment of all allowances owed them by the government.

“The national executive council (NEC) of ASUU met at the university of Abuja main campus, Giri, on the 12th of August 2017 to consider the results of a referendum from all branches in a bid to ascertain ways of convincing government to implement outstanding aspects of the 2009 agreement and MoU of 2013,”ASUU President, Biodun Ogunyemi, said in a memo.

“The result of the referendum showed that an overwhelming majority of the branches of our union voted for the strike.

“In the light of the foregoing, and having exhausted all avenues to get government to fully implement the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement and the 2013 MoU as well as related demands, resolved to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action commencing Sunday, 13th August 2017.”

The lecturers were asked not to “teach any course whatsoever” and “not conduct or supervise any examination at any level”.

The decision was reached after the deadline given by ASUU to the federal government to meet its demands ended on Friday.

ASUU and the Federal Government have been negotiating since November 2016. The body is reportedly not happy with the poor funding of Nigerian universities and welfare of lecturers across the country.