ASUU Debunks Strike Threat

The Academic Staff Union of Universities  (ASUU) has debunked the news-making round on several platforms, that that they would be embarking on a National Strike tomorrow if the Federal Government does not meet their demands.

Recall that the union (ASUU) had given the Federal Government of Nigeria, a one-day ultimatum to reach out or it will activate the procedure of embarking on strike.

The union’s President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated that the union is ready to embark on another round of industrial action if the Federal Government fails to implement the agreement signed with the union in an interview on Sunday.

However, Dr. Dele Ashiru, a NEC member, and also the Chairman of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, chapter, debunked the news in a chat with Vanguard on Monday, noting that they are steps and procedures to be taken before the union embarks on strike

He, however, agreed that the union gave the Federal Government up till Tuesday, August 31, to meet some of the demands of the union.

According to Ashiru, “Yes, we gave the government till the end of this month to meet some demands of ours.

“However, assuming that the demands are not met within the stipulated period, we won’t just begin an industrial action that same day.

“The reason is that ASUU is not a one-man union and is not run like a one-man show. If the demands are not met, the national leadership would call a meeting of NEC and report back to it.

“It is at that NEC meeting that the next step would be decided on. As we talk now, no NEC meeting has been called and so the likelihood of a strike starting on Tuesday is not there.

“Our demands from the government are just three. We want the government to sign and implement the renegotiated agreement we have with them;

“That the government should also mainstream our Academic Earned Allowances and to pay the N40 billon Revitalisation Fund,” he explained.