The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on governors to pull out state universities from the over six-month-old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
NANS argued that it was out of place for teachers in state universities to be part of the strike since they are not direct beneficiaries of the conclusions that might be reached by ASUU and the Federal Government.
The association which clocked 40 yesterday, described as “insensitive; selfish, inconsiderate, and uncharitable” ASUU ‘s insistence on the payment of its members’ six-month salary arrears before it could call off the strike.
ASUU is among others, demanding provision of funds for the revitalisation of public universities; payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA)/Earned Allowances (EA); payment of salary shortfalls; an end to the proliferation of state universities, renegotiation of a 2009 agreement; adoption of University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a payment platform for university teachers and payment of non-remitted check-off dues.
The union had on Tuesday hinted that it might declare an indefinite strike on Sunday if the government failed to meet the demands, especially the salary arrears payment. The union’s chapter in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University(NAU) in Awka, Anambra, has already moved ahead by announcing an indefinite action.
But one of the university-based unions—the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT)—which also declared a strike has formerly directed its members to resume work.
But NAAT flayed the no-work, no pay rule announced by the Federal Government as a sanction for members that embarked on strike.
At an event to mark its 40th anniversary in Abuja, NANS pleaded with Nigerians to rise and rescue the education sector.
It also called for a total overhaul of the sector during the event that had “Public Education System On The Brink of collapse: Rescue It Now Or Prepare For The Alternative,” as its theme.
NANS described strikes in the tertiary education level as a challenge above its capacity as a body.
“We call on all governors at all levels to ensure that all our state universities are open now because they will not be a beneficiary of ASUU demands from the Federal Government,” said the association’s National President Sunday Asefon.
Asefon added: “We condemn in totality, the insistence of ASUU on the payment of six-month arrears of salary for the entire period of the strike before they can call off the strike.
“This demand is not only insensitive; it is also selfish, inconsiderate, and uncharitable. The six months are periods of no work. As much as we encourage the government to pay the arrears irrespective, it is unfair to base the resumption of academic activities on full payment of the arrears.
“We have also, unfortunately, noticed that since the beginning of the strike, ASUU has refused to put the students who are the major losers into consideration whatsoever.
“They (ASUU) have hidden from us the major areas of contention. Every other stakeholder, except ASUU, has met with us directly to discuss the issues.
“We have witnessed the total collapse of the sector as a result of the incessant strikes. These challenges are bigger than what any NANS administration can resolve. However, our nation’s education system is on the brink and the entire nation must rise to its rescue.”
NAAT suspends strike, rejects ‘no work, no pay’ rule
In Abuja, NAATs National President Ibeji Nwokoma told reporters that the association decided to direct its members to resume work after reaching a new agreement with the government.
NAAT, like other unions in universities, had blamed the “failure” of the government to honour a 2009 agreement. The association embarked on its strike on March 21, 2022
Nwokoma said: “NEC(of NAAT) in session, in the interest of the Nation unanimously resolved to suspend the ongoing strike action for three months to enable the government to address all the issues at stake, effective from midnight of Friday, 26th August, 2022.
“By this development, all NAAT members in tertiary institutions are directed to resume work with effect from the date stated above. NAAT, therefore requests that students, especially final year project students/researchers with ongoing research activities and other unfinished practical works can come over and would be attended to.
“On the government’s position to invoke the no-work, no-pay rule, NAAT totally rejects this in its entirety as we are not the architect of the prolonged strike action but rather the government’s failure to address all the contending issues promptly. It should be noted that NAAT complied with all laid down procedures before embarking on the industrial action.
“Therefore, NAAT demands in strong terms the payment of our withheld salaries without delay.
“It is important to state that at the expiration of the three months window period, NAAT will not hesitate to resume the suspended strike n without notice if all the issues agreed upon with the Minister of Education, on behalf of the government are not holistically addressed.”
NAU teachers declare indefinite strike, Ekiti varsity announces resumption
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka chapter of ASUU yesterday announced an indefinite strike over what it termed the government’s intransigence and lack of commitment to honouring agreements.
“Against the backdrop of government’s intransigence and lack of commitment to reaching an agreement with ASUU on the contentious issues, after over six months of industrial action, ASUU-NAU ultimately resolved for a comprehensive, total, and indefinite strike going forward, until all issues at stake are satisfactorily resolved between the Union and the government,” it said in a statement by its chairperson, Stephen Ufoaroh.
But in Ado-Ekiti, the authorities of Ekiti State University directed all its newly-admitted students for the 2021/2022 academic session to resume on Monday.
According to a statement by the university’s Registrar, Ife Oluwole, the decision was reached at a stakeholders meeting held on Saturday.
Oluwole said: “Stakeholders noted the socio-economic effects of the current strike action embarked upon by the staff unions in the university on other stakeholders (parents, students, alumni, and staff) and the plea by the parents.
It further noted that the industrial action is having negative effects not only on the student but also on the University. These include undue prolongation of the academic calendar; low patronage by candidates seeking admission to the varsity; the inability of staff to meet their financial obligation and inability to pay staff salaries.” Continue Reading
