By Khalid Idris Doya The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) staged a peacefu...
By Khalid Idris Doya
The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday, warning that the Federal Government’s continued neglect of the union’s demands is a direct invitation to strike action.
Dr. Haruna Angulu, Chairperson of ASUU-ATBU, addressed journalists during the protest, stating that the union remains committed to advancing Nigeria’s education sector and has no intention of disrupting academic activities. However, he warned that the government’s persistent failure to honour agreements is pushing the union to the brink.
“Our rights and entitlements have been denied for too long. Disrupting academic activities is never our goal, but the government's insincerity has pushed us to the wall,” Dr. Angulu stated.
He called on the Federal Government to urgently finalise and sign the renegotiated 2009 Agreement with the union and ensure its full implementation.
The ASUU leader also demanded the payment of three and a half months’ withheld salaries, describing them as more essential than the recently introduced Tertiary Institutions Students Support Fund (TISSF) loan scheme.
“We need our salaries, not student loans. Forcing loans on students only worsens their hardship. The government should pay what it owes,” he added.
Dr. Angulu further demanded the release of 12 months’ arrears of the 25% and 35% salary increments, outstanding promotion arrears accumulated over the past four years, and the resolution of unpaid salaries tied to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
“Our arrears are still hanging. Many colleagues have not been paid their promotion arrears for years. We are only asking for our legitimate entitlements,” he emphasised.
ASUU also urged the government to provide sustainable funding for public universities and stop what it described as the continued victimisation of union members at Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (KSU), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
“Let it be clear to the public: ASUU is not calling for a strike. It is the Federal Government that is pushing us toward that path through its inaction,” Dr. Angulu said.
He also rejected attempts to conscript ASUU as guarantor for student loans, arguing that such a move is ill-conceived and burdensome.
“We are tired of government deceptions. We remain united in this struggle until justice is served. Intimidation or victimisation won’t solve the problems,” he declared.
“We are intellectuals, and we will continue to use our capacity to offer solutions to this country’s challenges.”
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