ASUU joins NLC nationwide strike

By Innocent Raphael

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced its participation in the ongoing strike led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

This action follows the Federal Government’s failure to meet the unions’ demands for a minimum wage increase.

In a statement released on Monday, ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke directed university lecturers nationwide to join the strike, emphasizing the union’s solidarity with the NLC and TUC, citing the government’s inaction on critical wage and tariff issues.

“The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June 2024, due to the failure of the Government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reverse the hike in electricity tariff.

“Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress. Consequently, branch chairpersons are to mobilise all members to participate in the strike action. Yours in the struggle,” the statement read.

Recall that ASUU had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s approach to university governance and wage issues. The union criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu for failing to appoint Governing Councils for federal universities and for a perceived indifference to academic concerns.

Also, ASUU had objected to the recent 35% salary increment for professors and 25% for other academic staff, viewing it as a temporary wage award that could be retracted.

The union’s frustration is compounded by the dissolution of federal university governing councils, following a directive from the National Universities Commission on June 22, 2023. This move, ordered by President Tinubu, dissolved the boards of all government parastatals, agencies, and companies.

ASUU’s participation signals a broader coalition of workers dissatisfied with current economic policies and labor negotiations.