ASUU Says FG’s Appeal to Suspend Warning Strike Came ‘Too Late’
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said the Federal Government’s last-minute appeal for the union to suspend its planned warning strike came “a little too late.”
Speaking on The Morning Brief programme on Channels Television, ASUU President Chris Piwuna blamed the government for its slow and unresponsive attitude toward the union’s long-standing demands.
“The problem we have with this government and this Ministry of Education is that they are slow in responding to our demands,” Piwuna said.
He explained that ASUU had earlier met with government representatives in Sokoto, where both parties agreed on a three-week grace period before any industrial action. However, according to him, the government failed to follow up within that period.
“They gave us three weeks, we accepted, but we never heard a word from them until the three weeks elapsed — not even the courtesy to say, ‘Oh gentlemen, we are running short on time, we will meet you soon.’ Nothing, until we threatened action,” he stated.
Piwuna revealed that government officials only reached out on Wednesday to appeal against the planned strike — just two working days before the action was due to begin.
“Our 2009 agreement, which is still being renegotiated after eight years, remains unresolved,” he lamented. “Two working days before a strike action, you come to appeal to us. I think the appeal has come a little too late.”
ASUU had announced plans for a warning strike to press for the full implementation of its agreements with the government, including improved funding for universities, better working conditions, and academic autonomy.
