Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday staged a nationwide protest over what they described as the Federal Government’s neglect of its obligations to Nigerian lecturers.
The demonstrations, which took place across several universities, centered on the union’s outright rejection of the recently introduced Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund loan scheme and demands for the settlement of withheld salaries and other entitlements.
TJ News Nigeria reports that lecturers at the University of Jos, the University of Lagos, the University of Benin, the Federal University Gusau, and other institutions participated in the protest, carrying placards and addressing journalists.
Rejection of Loan Scheme
At the University of Jos, ASUU branch chairperson Joseph Molwus described the loan initiative as a “poison chalice” meant to deepen the financial struggles of lecturers.
“Lecturers do not need loans but the payment of their legitimate entitlements that government has refused to honour,” he said.
He added that asking university staff to borrow money to cover healthcare, school fees, and basic needs while outstanding salaries remain unpaid was unjust.
Nationwide Spread of Protests
At the University of Lagos, protesting lecturers demanded the payment of arrears, improved welfare, and the renegotiation of the 2009 FG-ASUU agreement.
In Edo State, members of ASUU at the University of Benin joined their colleagues nationwide, insisting that unless the government implements the 2009 agreement, industrial harmony could collapse.
Similarly, at the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State, ASUU chairman Abdulrahman Adamu lamented the poor funding of universities, noting that government’s reliance on TETFUND was insufficient. He revealed that lecturers were still being owed:
- Three and a half months’ salaries from the 2020 strike
- Unpaid promotion arrears
- Wage award arrears of between 25 to 35 months
At the Federal University Dutse in Jigawa State, ASUU chairman Isma’il Ahmad condemned the non-payment of three months’ salary arrears and the federal government’s refusal to revisit the 2009 agreement. He stressed that current salaries barely sustain lecturers’ livelihoods.
Unresolved Demands
Across campuses, the lecturers listed their demands, which include:
- Payment of withheld salaries
- Earned academic allowances
- Promotion arrears
- Revitalisation funds for universities
- Wage awards
- Settlement of unremitted third-party deductions
ASUU argued that instead of creating loan schemes, government should release funds to clear these obligations and honour previous agreements.
Looming Strike Threat
The protests reignited concerns about another possible shutdown of academic activities. ASUU warned that patience was running out and industrial harmony, which universities have enjoyed for more than two years, was under threat.
The lecturers also reminded President Bola Tinubu of his 2022 campaign pledge that strikes would not occur under his administration. They expressed disappointment that two years into his presidency, key issues remained unresolved.
“Unless urgent steps are taken, the country risks sliding back into another prolonged academic crisis,” the union cautioned.
Call for Presidential Intervention
ASUU urged President Tinubu to personally intervene in the dispute, directly engaging union leaders to prevent another strike. The lecturers appealed to the President to “renew hope” in the education sector and restore confidence among academic staff.
The union insisted it remained committed to dialogue but warned that its patience was almost exhausted.
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