By Atoyebi Nike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reaffirmed its decision to embark on a two-week nationwide warning strike starting midnight of October 13 if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands.
ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, made this known on Monday during the Orientation/Leadership Training held at the Niger Delta University Branch in Amassoma, Bayelsa State. He stated that the union’s decision is final and will not be reconsidered.
“The warning strike has been issued and we are not meeting to discuss that again as a union because our position has been taken. By midnight of Monday, we will embark on a two-week warning strike, after which we will meet to decide when to begin an indefinite and comprehensive strike,” Piwuna said.
He noted that the government’s failure to sign and implement the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement remains the core issue. He added that the union had engaged the government in prolonged negotiations without results.
On the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Piwuna reiterated ASUU’s opposition to student loans in the current economic climate, arguing that high unemployment and hardship make repayment unrealistic. He criticised the fund’s reported N14 billion personnel spending despite its small staff size.
ASUU National Financial Secretary, Happiness Uduk, urged members to uphold integrity and transparency, while university administrators at the event stressed the importance of internal collaboration and adherence to ASUU principles to drive change in the education sector.
