We are ready for “Mother of all Strikes” over unfulfilled 2009 Agreement – ASUU

By Ehigimetor Igbaugba, Calabar

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it is prepared to embark on the “mother of all strikes” unless the Federal Government honours the long-standing 2009 agreement and addresses other unresolved issues affecting the education sector.

The University of Calabar (Unical) chapter of ASUU, led by its Chairman, Dr Peter Ubi, issued the warning at a press conference on Tuesday in Calabar.

According to Ubi, the strike would commence once the union’s national body gives the directive after its meeting scheduled for August 28.

He listed ASUU’s demands to include: re-negotiation of the 2009 agreement, sustainable funding and revitalisation of Nigerian universities, payment of the outstanding 25–35 per cent wage award, settlement of three months’ salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears spanning over four years, and remittance of all third-party deductions.

“The government made promises on these issues, and regrettably, we are here today to inform the Nigerian public that these undisputed matters remain unresolved for years. ASUU has explored several strategies to resolve the conflict in the education sector, but government has consistently ignored our demands. We are therefore left with no option but to strike,” Ubi said.

The union further urged the Federal Government to extend its moratorium on the establishment of new universities to cover both state-owned and private institutions.

While commending the halt in the creation of additional federal universities, ASUU argued that the proliferation of substandard institutions was undermining the quality of higher education.

“We currently have 72 federal universities and 159 private universities, bringing the total to 339, excluding polytechnics and colleges of education. This gives an average of nine universities per state and the FCT. Extending the freeze to private institutions will help ensure quality over quantity,” Ubi stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government recently imposed a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, citing overstretched resources, underutilisation of existing institutions, and a decline in academic standards.

The decision, approved at the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu, followed a presentation by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.

However, despite the freeze, FEC also approved the establishment of nine new universities, sparking concerns about policy inconsistency.