The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has threatened an impending industrial action as the national leadership of the union ordered its members nationwide to declare lecture-free day, Monday, February 7, in planning for a possible showdown with the Federal Government.
It was learnt that circulars issued by the various branches of ASUU announcing the resolution, noted that the lecture-free day would be used to sensitise the university communities and the public on the failure of the government to honour an agreement the parties entered into December 2020, and which led to the suspension of a nine-month prolonged strike then.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had pledged the commitment of his administration to fulfilling the agreement with the union. Buhari made the promise when members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC visited him to share thoughts with him on the lingering issues.
ASUU National President, Emmanuel Osedeke confirmed the order and also that the national body had instructed all the chapters to sensitise the public on the nobleness of its cause.
ASUU said the Federal Government partially addressed two of its eight demands, including the visitation panel to federal universities, describing the release of funds for the Earned Academic Allowance and revitalisation funds as ‘partial’.
