The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Nsukka Zone has expressed dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office, citing unfulfilled promises and unmet expectations.
Addressing journalists on Friday at Benue State University, Makurdi, Zonal Coordinator Raphael Amokaha criticized the government’s failure to honor the 2009 Federal Government/ASUU agreement.
He highlighted several issues including poor funding of universities, breaches of university autonomy particularly with the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS), non-payment of earned academic allowances, and withheld salaries.
Amokaha acknowledged President Tinubu’s recent move to review the appointment of university governing councils but advised that these appointments should not be used as political patronage.
Contrary to President Tinubu’s promise that the era of strikes in Nigerian universities was over, Amokaha warned that another strike might be imminent.
He said, “The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is about to celebrate one year in office. Unfortunately, members of our union do not share in the elation of the one-year celebration.
“Our expectations were much higher than the present reality. Again, we cry out to the President, let the lecturers breathe! Do not suffocate us!!
“The draft renegotiated 2009 agreement must be signed immediately and implemented, even though it may need to be looked at before signing now so that what will be agreed upon now will be commensurate with the hyperinflation ravaging our country.
“The balance of the eight months withheld salaries owed our colleagues should be paid immediately. They have now done the work in full and, to make it worse, the value of the eight months’ salary is now barely up to the value of two months’ salary at that time.”
Amokaha further emphasized the importance of having reputable and experienced individuals in university governing councils.
“Membership of governing councils requires notable and upright personalities with experience in university administration. It’s therefore not proper that personalities like Professors Attahiru Jega, Olu Obafemi, and Munzali Jibril be tossed about in the name of dissolution or reconstitution of councils without recourse to propriety. Appointments to university governing councils must not be viewed as patronage for political loyalty,” he said
