ASUU Zones Divided Over Calling Off Strike

Following the offer made by the Federal Government to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) , several ASUU branches in different parts of Nigeria and different universities are divided on whether to accept the FG’s offer and call off their eight-month-old strike.

However, the academic union, ASUU is looking to harmonise the different positions of all the ASUU chapters and branches at a meeting in Abuja today (Friday).

Some ASUU branches like Imo State University, ASUU chapter have insisted that the proposed N65bn would not be enough and further suggested it should be increased to N80bn.

Other branches as well have insisted that for the strike to end, all demands must be met.

A decision by voting is currently a possibility with the several different positions put forward by the branches.

READ ALSO: ASUU Strike: IMSU Rejects FG's N65bn Offer, Proposes N80bn Offer

The Ahmadu Bello University branch agreed with the government on the N40 billion Earned Academic Allowance (EAA). The branch, in playing its card safely, has however, called for payment of the allowance before the strike will be called off.

In other zones, lecturers of Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Delta State, have stated that all resolutions must be reached before calling the strike off.

READ ALSO: ASUU Strike: Some Unis Reject FG's Offer, Others Accept

Chairman of ASUU at the university, also disclosed on Wednesday that they accept the EAA, but reject the N25 billion for the revitalisation of the varsities, adding that the latest concession by the Federal Government is just “an offer”, further adding, saying: “Let it land in our purse first.”

He also stated, saying: “We are willing to suspend the strike, but some of those contending issues should be thrashed and thrashed once.”

Other ASUU chapters such as University of Maiduguri, Yobe State University and Federal University Gashua are stil undecided about commiting to the proposed N65bn offer from the Federal Government.

The Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAM) ASUU also revealed its position to continue with the strike action until the Federal Government implements all that was demanded in the recent negotiation, stressing that all their withheld salaries and sundry allowances must be as well paid before they agree to calling off the strike.

A lecturer of the same university "UAM" added that they voted for the continuation of the strike until the government holds up their end of the bargain.

In view of this, ASUU national leadership will receive reports from zonal coordinators so as to surmise the next line of action for Friday's meeting with the FG in Abuja.

A source who with media representatives of The Nation, revealed that most congresses voted to call off the strike; while some others did not.

The source also added: “All the reports will come in today (Thursday) and we can make a decision on it.”

In the previous meeting, last Friday, the Federal Government agreed with ASUU’s demand for payment of lecturers’ salaries from February to June through the old platform – the Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System.

The government also clarified that the exemption of ASUU from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) was temporary, pending the completion of ASUU's UTAS payment platform.

After several negotiations, the government eventually acceded to raising the previously proposed N30billion EAA fund to N35billion as well as the revitalisation fund from N20billion to N25billion.

Cumulatively, the FG, through the Accountant-General of the Federation, offered a total of N65 billion to lecturers to call off the strike.

Univeristy of Ilorin ASUU Chairman, Prof Moyosore Ajao, said the chapter was in agreement with the national body of ASUU.

READ ALSO: ASUU Probes FG’s N65bn Offer, Unilorin, Others Accept Offer

He added: “Our president will make a pronouncement on our resolution after our meeting tomorrow (today, Friday).”

A source at the ASUU UNILORIN meeting said the union resolved that “our salaries be paid and must henceforth not be stopped”.

“We also resolved that ASUU is not and cannot be on IPPIS,” he added.

Dr Lazarus Maigoro,Chairman of University of Jos chapter of ASUU stated: “We are under a strict directive from the national body not to release our resolutions yet.”

Sokoto Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Dr Jamilu Shehu, said that the zones are expected to make their positions known at the Abuja meeting.