The Academic Staff Union of Nigerian University, ASUU has refute the claim that federal government have met the demand of the union.
University of Ibadan ASUU chairman Akinwole Ayoola stated this on Monday. According to Ayoola, all the chapters that started the strike the six months strike are still part of the action till the government meets their demands.
The chairman said, “Nigerians should disregard the lies of the Federal Government. The Federal Government is far from meeting any of the union’s seven demands.
“The union gave 14-month strike notice to Federal Government before commencing the strike in 2022. Even the effort of the Nigerian Inter-Religious council in 2021 yielded no results before the union was forced to declare the strike on February 14, 2022.
“We waited for 14 months from December 2020 to February 2022 before declaring this strike. I am saying 14 months’ notice, 14months of engagements and the Nigeria Inter-Religious council intervened in 2021 when we would have declared the strike. We gave them one month with no result. Heroes are gone before they are appreciated but our union will not die. We will not die. We are going to be alive to see this struggle through.”
In addition, Akinwole revealed the N1.1trillion naira for revatilisation of universities was not for lecturers in public universities. He further the funds was arrived at by Federal government through her NEEDS Assessment report on the level of decay in Nigerian public universities.
Ayoola also appreciated the union members for their sacrifice. He said irresponsible leadership are responsible for strikes in Nigeria.
According to Ayoola, “If ASUU does not go on this struggle, there will be no university for new people to attend. In the last 25 years, Federal Government will not spend money on their university unless ASUU goes on strike. Does that show they are responsible?
“I am also a parent and my children are home with me. Most lecturers have to spend their money on their students’ projects for some students to graduate. I could give you the numbers of some of my students who can tell you how much I have had to support their projects.
“Lecturers retain Nigerian public universities with their blood. But it is right for Nigerians to say they should die on the job. I am saying they are owing us over eight years of verified earned academic allowances. Is it ASUU only that is on strike?
“Some sectors (research institutes) of the nation have been on strike for 13months and government has been paying their salaries. Is it an offence to become lecturers in Nigerian universities? What led to the strike? It is non-responsiveness of government that led to the strike.”
