This impending strike is nothing new for ASUU. The Academic Staff Union of Universities has launched over a dozen strike actions since their first one in 1988, hoping that the Federal Government will abide by their agreement and meet their demands.
The list of strikes and it’s duration since 1999:
| 1. 1999 | 5 Months |
| 2. 2001 | 3 Months |
| 3. 2002 | 2 Weeks |
| 4. 2003 | 6 Months |
| 5. 2005 | 2 Weeks |
| 6. 2006 | 3 Days |
| 7. 2007 | 3 Months |
| 8. 2008 | 1 Weak |
| 9. 2009 | 4 Months |
| 10. 2010 | 5 Months |
| 11. 2011 | 59 Days |
| 12. 2013 | 5 Months |
| 13. 2017 | 1 Month |
| 14. 2018 | 3 Month |
| 15. 202- | 9 Months |
| 16. 2022 | 8 Months |
It’s last strike is 2022, went on for eight months, spanning from February to October and was only suspended in compliance to court order.
The bone of contention? ASUU has a list of demands, top of the list includes:
- The renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the union and the Federal Government.
- The discontinuing of the use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for the payment of university workers’ salaries. As this affects and limits staff from applying for sabbatical, part-time and adjunct positions.
- The release of the three-and-a-half months’ salaries withheld during the 2022 strike action, which was a result of the no-work-no-pay rule implemented by the Federal Government.
- Release of the funding, for the revitalization of universities as stated in the 2023 budget.
- Payment of the accumulated 35 months’ salaries and allowances captured in the 2023 budget. Amongst other demands.
According to several News Dailies. ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, has urged Nigerians to blame the Federal Government for it’s indifference and inaction. He expressed his dissatisfaction towards the government’s refusal to honor their agreements or address their concerns.
The union gave the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum that began on the 23rd of September 2024. This is in addition to the 21-day ultimatum that was issued on the 18th of August 2024, after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) met.
ASUU-Nsukka zone in a statement issued by it’s zonal coordinator, Amokaha Raphael, recalled the 2022 strike and warned that a repeat is imminent. He complained that despite the union’s efforts to avoid industrial action, the government continues to treat their appeal with nonchalance. He stated that ASUU-Nsukka zone of the conviction that the union has done everything inherently possible to avoid the impending strike. He also urged concerned and well-meaning Nigerians to lend their voices as the union seeks for solutions to their distress.
There is mounting tension as the 14-day ultimatum expires and the Federal Government is still to make a statement or meet with the demands.
When two elephants fight, the grass suffers, university strikes disrupt the academic Calendar, prolong the years of study and affect students’ productivity.
Nigerians, especially the University students wait with bated breath and hope the union and the federal government can settle their differences and avoid yet another strike.
