The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has reiterated their resolve to go with the ongoing industrial action, saying that the quest for their welfare and revitalisation of the university system could not be compromised.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that ASUU had been on strike since March 23, 2020 over their refusal to enrol on the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, IPPIS, as well as some outstanding issues of 2019 Memorandum of Action between the Federal Government and the association.
Addressing newsmen on Monday, the ASUU Abuja Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Theophilus Lagi, called on the Federal Government to implement the 2019 Memorandum of Action, MoA, it signed with the union.
ASUU also urged the government to release fund for revitalisation of the Nigerian university system for the development of the education sector.
Mr Lagi said: “We have pointed out severally to the government to expend more funds to upgrade existing universities to world-class standards instead of the ongoing proliferation of universities by both state and federal governments.
“Government must as a matter of urgency implement the MoA of 7th February 2019, which it signed with ASUU.
“This, we believe, if attended to, will upgrade these universities and address the impunity and corruption seen in the university system,” Mr Lagi added.
The zonal coordinator hailed the Federal Government’s step to address the crisis that recently engulfed the University of Lagos.
Recall that ASUU’s President, Biodun Ogunyemi, during an interactive session with critical stakeholders at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had said the union’s demands were genuine and in the interest of the nation.
According to him, when these recommendations are implemented, students would be the major beneficiaries, appealing to them to show understanding.
“Students who are our children and partners in progress should show understanding, what we are asking from the government are in their interest and the interest of the nation.
“Good hostel accommodation, good classroom blocks that can engender effective learning, laboratories where cutting edge research can be carried out and offices that can drive the process of quality university education.
“So, what we are asking of the government are not baseless things, but those things that in 2012, the government conducted during a needs assessment survey and found out that there is widespread rot and decay in the university system.
“We are asking that the government implement its own report of 2012,” Mr Ogunyemi had said.
