ASUU begins indefinite nationwide strike

Following the Federal Governments failure to meet its demands, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike.

According to Punch, ASUU accused the government of not implementing the Memorandum of Action signed with it, saying industrial would be total as all federal and state universities would join the strike.

ASUU announced the strike on Sunday, November 4, 2018 after their National Executive Council meeting held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, ASUU president, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi said all effort made by the union to make the government implement the agreement between them fell on deaf ears.

ASUU begins indefinite nationwide strike ece-auto-gen

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“Having waited patiently for action and meaningful negotiation with reasonable men using the principle of collective bargaining that ASUU at its NEC meeting of 3rd and 4th November 2018 at the FUTA, resolved to resume the nationwide strike action it suspended in September 2017 with immediate effect.

“This strike will be total, comprehensive and indefinite. Our members shall withdraw their services until the government fully implements all outstanding issues as contained in the MOA of 2017, and concludes the renegotiation of the 2009 agreements.

“We have today (Sunday) been subjected to 20 years of continued re-colonisation under alleged democracy in which all the ruling class have been regrouping among themselves in their various factions they called political parties,” Ogunyemi said.

According to Punch, Ogunyemi alleged that the government was not interested in public universities because their children and the children of top politicians and rich men in the society patronise private universities at the detriment of public institutions.

ASUU earlier threatened to go on strike

Recall that in September 2018, ASUU threatened to go on strike if the Federal Government fails to implement the 2017 FGN/ASUU agreement.

But the union called off the planned industrial action after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government that their demands would be implemented before the end of October.

Meanwhile, the government recently approved the immediate release of N20b to ASUU to improve public universities across the country.

However, ASUU rejected the funds saying it is “too little, too late.”