The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has issued a stern warning of embarking on a nationwide strike in response to the Federal Government’s failure to appoint Governing Councils for Federal Universities.
The union, during an ongoing press briefing at the University of Abuja, expressed deep concern over what it perceives as the nonchalant attitude of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration towards academic matters in Nigerian Federal Universities.
ASUU particularly criticized the government’s recent decision regarding salary increments for academic staff, viewing it as a precarious wage award that could be revoked at any moment.
The President of the union, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, emphasized that they had given the government ample time to address these critical issues.
“We are concerned about the failure of the Federal Government to appoint members of Governing Councils for Federal-owned universities,” stated Osodeke during the briefing.
He further highlighted the union’s discontent with the dissolution of governing councils, deeming it illegal and contrary to the principles guiding existing universities.
The decision to dissolve governing councils was initially announced by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on June 22, 2023, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu.
This move extended to boards of other agencies and parastatals across the country, sparking discontent among academic circles.
