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ASUU President, Chris Piwuna
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has expressed frustration over the prolonged stalemate in its renegotiation with the Federal Government on key issues affecting university lecturers and the education sector.
In an interview with PUNCH Online in Jos on Sunday, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said the union had run out of patience with the government’s failure to take concrete action, despite years of promises and discussions.
“We are tired of words and promises,” the ASUU President stated.
Piwuna emphasised that the union’s demands are clear and well-articulated, citing the 2009 agreement with the government, which outlines crucial matters such as conditions of service, university autonomy, academic freedom, sustainable funding, and earned academic allowances.
“Our efforts are frustrated by the government. It is seven years now since we started renegotiation with the government. It has reached a point that something must give way. We either have an agreement or we don’t. We are tired of words and promises of action. Our members can only respond to action,” he said.
The ASUU president noted that issues such as infrastructural decay, staff demoralisation, cultism, and the declining quality of education in universities can best be addressed through increased funding and improved remuneration for lecturers.
“We believe that the infrastructural decay, demoralised staff, cultism, and poor quality of education in our universities can best be addressed through increased funding and improved remuneration for our members,” he added.
Piwuna also underscored the importance of including non-teaching staff in salary reviews, stating that doing so would promote harmony and stability within the university system.
“Let me be clear: non-teaching staff of the university should be carried along as our salaries are reviewed. It will promote harmony and stabilise the system,” he said.
He warned that the government must be prepared to face the consequences of its continued inaction.
“In the days and weeks ahead, the government should be ready to accept whatever they see”, he warned.
As the standoff between ASUU and the government continues, it remains uncertain whether the union’s demands will be met or what impact the impasse will have on the future of university education in Nigeria. (Sunday PUNCH)
