14th February, 2022
The National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, on Sunday, changed the venue of the meeting to decide on whether to commence an indefinite strike action or offer another ‘lifeline’ to the Nigerian government.
The NEC meeting, which commenced on Saturday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, was a follow-up to earlier public engagement and sensitization congress meetings of the various branches which necessitated the declaration of lecture-free periods across the various campuses.
However, the NEC meeting, which had commenced on Saturday at the Ade Ajayi Auditorium in UNILAG, was abruptly relocated to Tayo Aderinokun Lecture Hall near the university’s guest house on Sunday.
A reliable source said the venue was changed due to the fear of bugging of the auditorium by secret agents of the Nigerian government.
“You know the matter at hand is very sensitive and ASUU has been very careful. So it got information that the venue had been bugged overnight and had to relocate to another venue to continue its meeting on Sunday. It is a serious thing. But the final decision will be taken by midnight today (Sunday),” a member of ASUU who does not want to be quoted stated on Sunday evening.
However, with the meeting conducted successfully, the union is now expected to communicate its decision to the media on Monday.
A source among the leadership of the union on Friday informed some journalists to be prepared for an impromptu briefing by the union on Monday.
ASUU’s demands
One of the lingering issues between the government and the union include renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, which ASUU believed ought was meant be reviewed every three years.
However, nine months after the renegotiation concluded in May 2021, ASUU said the government has refused to sign and implement the contents of the renegotiated agreement.
Also on the list is the stalled adoption of University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) in replacement of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) that is currently in use for the payment of the union members’ salaries.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had in December said the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) gave positive feedback on UTAS but that there are few observations to be addressed.
However, ASUU alleged that the IPPIS is found to be marred with irregularities.
ASUU is also demanding the regulation of the proliferation of state-owned universities by governors who it alleges owe staff salaries and payment of university subventions, leaving the universities with failing infrastructures.