The Ibadan Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that a full-scale strike may soon begin, accusing the Federal Government of treating the ongoing industrial dispute with “discourtesy, propaganda, and dangerous indifference.”
The warning was issued on Friday during a press briefing at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
Government Handling ‘Lackadaisical,’ ASUU Alleges
Zonal Coordinator, Professor Biodun Olaniran, said government officials are misleading Nigerians with “false claims” while frustrating efforts to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement.
He said the renegotiation, handled by the Yayale Ahmed Committee, is expected to produce a new salary structure to replace CONUASS, which inflation has eroded.
According to Olaniran, “ASUU expected a government committed to national development to act with urgency. Instead, we have seen delay, propaganda, and insincerity.”
He lamented that only eight days remain before the expiration of the one-month window ASUU granted the government, yet “nothing significant has been done.”
The Ibadan Zone includes: University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, LAUTECH Ogbomoso, Osun State University, Kwara State University, and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education.
Branch chairpersons from these institutions stood beside Olaniran during the briefing.
Salary Structure, Withheld Wages, and Outstanding Arrears
Olaniran said the union’s central demand remains the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement.
The union wants a competitive salary structure reflecting current economic realities.
He insisted that the government’s counter-offers are “ridiculous, inappropriate, and unacceptable.”
ASUU said the partial release of promotion arrears and third-party deductions should not be mistaken for a resolution.
He revealed that the ASUU NEC meeting held at Taraba State University, Jalingo, reviewed the dispute and condemned the “negative role” played by some government officials in the negotiations.
ASUU also criticised the government for withholding three and a half months’ salaries of federal university lecturers since the 2022 strike.
Many state universities, the union added, have also refused to pay Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and promotion arrears.
He cited Osun State University’s withheld 2018 and 2020 salaries and unpaid 2015–2019 EAA as examples.
LAUTECH and KWASU have similar outstanding obligations, he said.
Olaniran described the situation as “anti-labour, anti-progress, and inhumane,” demanding the immediate release of all outstanding payments.
Looming Disruption as ASUU Warns Students May Suffer Again
ASUU warned that unless the Federal Government “holds the bull by the horns” and offers a realistic salary structure within the remaining days, public universities could soon be shut down.
According to Olaniran “If the government fails to act, our students may have their calendars disrupted once again.”
He argued that Nigeria has the resources to fund quality education but lacks the political will, noting that academics earn far less than their counterparts in smaller West African nations while Nigerian politicians rank among the highest paid globally.
The Ibadan Zone urged students, parents, labour unions, and traditional rulers to intervene and pressure the government to prevent another national shutdown.