The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Federal Government to cease the alleged victimisation of its members across public universities nationwide.
ASUU also called on all levels of government, particularly the Federal Government, to honour all agreements made with ASUU to allow public universities to thrive.
During a press briefing at the Nigerian Union of Journalists Press Centre in Sokoto on Saturday, the zonal chairman, Professor Abubakar Yabo, disclosed that the memorandum of action signed between ASUU and the Federal Government, which led to the suspension of their 2022 strike, remains unaddressed.
This memorandum was part of the 2009 Nimi Briggs agreement.
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Yabo detailed several unmet agreements, including the release of three and a half months’ withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike, unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
In addition, he mentioned the release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions, and funding for the revitalisation of public universities as captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.
ASUU criticised the government for failing to honour these agreements and instead, “victimising” its members through some state university visitors, vice-chancellors of federal universities, and their governing councils.
It stated that these authorities, who should protect the integrity of the public university system, are now acting as agents of its destruction.
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The union also pointed out the adverse impact of current economic hardships, exacerbated by unpopular government policies, on the teaching and learning environment.
ASUU stressed that the government has a duty to protect and respect academic freedom.
The statement condemned the actions of certain overzealous university vice-chancellors in the zone, accusing them of tyranny and victimisation of innocent union members.
ASUU called on these universities to adopt a more civil and globally accepted approach in treating academic staff with the respect they deserve.
Furthermore, the union urged the Federal Government to abandon its anti-intellectual stance and treat public universities with the dignity and respect they deserve by fulfilling its agreements with ASUU.
Professor Yabo added that the survival of the nation is intrinsically linked to the survival of public universities, urging the government to allow them to flourish.
The ASUU Sokoto zone includes Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Katsina State University of Science and Technology, Sokoto State University, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Federal University Gusau, Shehu Shagari University of Education Sokoto, and Federal University Zuru.
