ASUU Joins Labour Strike Over Minimum Wage, Government Inaction

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has officially announced its involvement in the ongoing strike initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) due to the federal government’s failure to address the minimum wage concern.

In a memo issued by ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, lecturers across Nigerian universities have been instructed to join the strike as an affiliate of the congress, following the government’s inability to conclude negotiations on the minimum wage and the reversal of electricity tariff hikes.

The decision to join the strike came after ASUU expressed discontent with the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, over various issues such as the delay in appointing Governing Councils for Federal Universities and what they perceive as neglect of academic matters within the university system.

During a press conference at the University of Abuja, ASUU criticized the 35% salary increase for professors and 25% hike for other academic staff, deeming it as a precariously reversible wage award by the government.

Furthermore, the National Universities Commission dissolved the governing councils of federal universities, along with other boards and agencies in compliance with a directive from President Bola Tinubu, which irked the academic body.

ASUU’s decision to align with the NLC strike is not only aimed at pressing for a resolution on the minimum wage but also signifies deeper dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of academic affairs in federal universities.