The Rivers State Government has been called to domesticate the 2025 Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities ,ASUU Agreement and fully commence implementation of the agreement as well as other challenges facing Public Universities in the State.
The Chairman, ASUU, Rivers State University, RST Branch, Comrade Emmanuel Davies made the call during a press briefing organised by RST and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IAUE on Thursday 2 July following the delay in carrying out the agreement by the State government.
Comrade Davies noted that some State governments and Universities have commenced implementation of the critical components of the agreement while urging the Rivers State Government to follow suit.
“Rivers State, being a leading educational and economic hub in Nigeria, should not lag behind in matters concerning education and staff welfare.
“Accordingly, ASUU-RSU and ASUU-IAUE demand from the Rivers State Government, the Domestication of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement in our State Universities, Implementation of the 2025 ASUU AGREEMENT’, Implementation of the 25% / 35% WAGE AWARD and Payment of Promotion Arrears.
Other demands are Retirement of Professors with their full entitlements, Adequate funding of RSU AND IAUE,
Provision of alternative power supply and the implementation of non-financial components of the agreement.
“We call on the Rivers State Government to direct the Governing Councils of RSU and IAUE to immediately commence the process of amending relevant University Statutes and regulations towards the implementation of the non-financial components of the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement, especially those related to ,University autonomy, Improved governance structure , Academic freedom, Conditions of service, Due process in University Administration” he asserted.
Comrade Davies said that the RST and IAUE ASUU branches remain committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution of all issues affecting the universities in the interest of industrial harmony.
“It is important to state that the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement was a product of extensive negotiations involving relevant stakeholders in the Nigerian University System, including representatives of State Universities through the Committee of Pro-Chancellors.
“Consequently, the implementation of the Agreement should not be viewed as exclusive to Federal Universities alone rather, it embodies nationally accepted standards for the improvement of University education, staff welfare, Governance, and Institutional stability across all Public Universities in Nigeria.
“While ASUU Sincerely and Honestly appreciates and commends the Rivers Government for the honour done us by approving and implementing the payment of the fallouts from minimum wage and 25% salary differentials recently, we are constrained to also demand for the implementation of the FGN-ASUU Agreement in Rivers State-Owned Universities to cushion the prevailing economic realities and the worsening conditions faced by academics and other University workers” comrade Davies stated.
The RST ASUU Chairman used the occasion to enjoin parents, students and Civil Society Organisations to support the struggle for a functional and globally competitive University system in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
” Education remains the bedrock of development. No society can attain meaningful progress while neglecting Universities and intellectual workforce.
“The continued delay in addressing these issues poses serious threats to academic stability, staff welfare, institutional growth, and the future of our students” comrade Davies added.
