ASUU Warns of "Mother of All Strikes" Amid Unresolved Demands and Proliferation of Low-Quality Universities

Strategic Insights -

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, stating that it is prepared to embark on a nationwide strike unless its long-standing demands are met. The union's Chairman, Dr Peter Ubi, led the press conference at the University of Calabar, where he listed the unresolved issues affecting the education sector. The strike, which could begin as early as August 28, is set to affect the nation's 339 universities, including federal, private, and state-owned institutions.

Key Takeaways:

  • ASUU has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike, dubbed the "mother of all strikes," if its demands are not met by the Federal Government.
  • The union's Chairman, Dr Peter Ubi, listed five key demands, including the re-negotiation of the 2009 agreement, sustainable funding, and the payment of outstanding wage and promotion arrears.
  • ASUU has expressed concerns over the proliferation of low-quality universities, with a current total of 72 federal universities and 159 private universities.
  • The union is urging the Federal Government to extend its moratorium on the establishment of new universities to cover both state-owned and private institutions.
  • 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.
  • Despite the freeze, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the establishment of nine new universities, sparking concerns about policy inconsistency.

Statistics:

  • Nigeria has a total of 339 universities, including federal, private, and state-owned institutions.
  • The country has 72 federal universities and 159 private universities.
  • The education sector is facing unresolved demands, including the re-negotiation of the 2009 agreement, sustainable funding, and the payment of outstanding wage and promotion arrears.
  • The Federal Government has imposed a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

Sources:

  • "ASUU warns of 'mother of all strikes' over unresolved demands" by NAN News Agency.
  • "FEC approves seven-year moratorium on new universities, polytechnics, and colleges" by NAN News Agency.
  • "ASUU Press Conference: University of Calabar Chapters Rolls Out Demands" by The University Herald.
  • "Tinubu presides over FEC meeting, approves new universities despite freeze" by The Cable News.