The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) threatens to go on strike in January 2025 over unfulfilled promises by the Nigerian government. Key issues include unpaid arrears, unresolved funding, and the IPPIS system. ASUU has given the government an ultimatum to meet their demands or face industrial action.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a warning that it may declare a strike action in January 2025 if the Nigerian government fails to fulfill outstanding agreements. According to ASUU President, Prof. Victor Osodeke, the government has not met several promises made to the union, despite having granted them a three-year wait. Key issues include unpaid salaries and arrears for lecturers from January to December 2023.
The government’s promise of N300 billion for university development, part of the NEEDS assessment fund, remains unfulfilled, even though it was included in the 2024 budget. Additionally, ASUU has raised concerns regarding the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), which they claim has not been adequately addressed. Despite assurances that the system would be improved with GIFMIS (Government Integrated Financial Management Information System), ASUU believes this is not a significant change.
Further negotiations with the government have yielded no progress, and two weeks have passed without any follow-up. ASUU is scheduled to meet in January to decide the next steps, with the possibility of initiating strike action. In September 2024, the union had already threatened a strike, giving the government a 14-day window to address its concerns, but no action was taken at that time.
ASUU has warned that if the government fails to act swiftly, it will hold the administration accountable for any resulting industrial unrest.
