17th August, 2017
The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, (IBBU) Lapai in Niger has officially joined in the nationwide indefinite strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The IBBU ASUU Chairman, Alhaji Salahu Lawal, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Wednesday.
He said that the action was based on the general agreement of members of the union in the university.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that ASUU had on Aug. 14 embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike due to the Federal Government’s failure to fulfil the 2009 agreement made with the union.
He disclosed that the university also resolved to extend the on-going nationwide strike beyond that of the national body, if local issues were not adequately addressed by the state government.
READ: Federal Govt, ASUU continue dialogue to end strike
According to him, the school was facing some challenges such as under-funding, inadequate staffing, non-payment of earned academic allowance between 2009 and 2016.
“Earn academic allowances have not been paid since 2009 to 2016. There is also non-availability of infrastructures such as staff offices, classrooms and students accommodation.
“There is absence of facilities such as water supply, electricity and health facilities, all these are part of the challenges we are facing at the local branch,” he said.
He noted that unless these issues were responded to promptly by the appropriate authorities, the university would take the strike beyond the deadline the national body may end its strike.
The chairman stressed that the strike covers academic activities such as teaching and supervision of student’s projects.
He added that until the union was invited for negotiation, all academic activities are suspended.