Latest news in asuu strike

The ASUU strike is an ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigeria. Here are some of the latest news and updates on the strike:

Latest Updates:

  1. ASUU extends strike by 12 weeks: On February 14, 2023, ASUU announced that it would extend its strike by 12 weeks, citing the government's failure to meet its demands. The strike, which began on December 9, 2020, has now been ongoing for over 2 years.
  2. FG, ASUU meet again: On February 16, 2023, the Federal Government and ASUU held another meeting to discuss the ongoing strike. While the meeting was described as "fruitful," no concrete agreement was reached.
  3. ASUU demands N1.1 trillion revitalization fund: ASUU has reiterated its demand for a N1.1 trillion revitalization fund to revamp the nation's universities. The union argues that the fund is necessary to address the decay in infrastructure, staff welfare, and academic standards in Nigerian universities.
  4. Students protest in Abuja: On February 17, 2023, students from various universities in Abuja protested against the ongoing strike, calling on the government to resolve the dispute and reopen universities.
  5. ASUU threatens to boycott 2023 elections: In a statement on February 18, 2023, ASUU threatened to boycott the 2023 general elections if the government fails to meet its demands and resolve the strike.

Background:

The ASUU strike began on December 9, 2020, after the union's members voted to embark on an indefinite strike. The strike was called over several issues, including:

  1. Non-payment of salaries: ASUU members have not received their salaries for several months, leading to financial hardship and uncertainty.
  2. Non-implementation of agreements: The government has failed to implement several agreements reached with ASUU, including the 2019 Memorandum of Action (MoA).
  3. Poor funding of universities: ASUU argues that the government has failed to provide adequate funding for universities, leading to a decline in infrastructure, staff welfare, and academic standards.
  4. Non-implementation of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS): ASUU has been pushing for the implementation of UTAS, a new payment platform designed to address the issues of non-payment of salaries and allowances.

Impact:

The ongoing strike has had a significant impact on Nigerian universities, including:

  1. Closure of universities: Most universities in Nigeria have been closed, affecting over 1.5 million students.
  2. Loss of academic calendar: The strike has disrupted the academic calendar, leading to a loss of academic time and opportunities for students.
  3. Financial hardship: The strike has caused financial hardship for students, parents, and university staff, who are struggling to make ends meet.
  4. Brain drain: The strike has led to a brain drain, as many Nigerian students are seeking alternative educational opportunities abroad.

Conclusion:

The ASUU strike is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive solution. The government and ASUU must work together to address the underlying issues and find a lasting solution to the strike. In the meantime, students, parents, and university staff continue to suffer the consequences of the strike.