The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has officially joined the nationwide strike led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) due to the failure of the Federal Government to meet their minimum wage demands.
In a statement issued by ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke, lecturers across the country are directed to participate in the strike action alongside the organized labor movement.
The decision to join the strike comes after the government’s inability to reach an agreement on the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and the reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariff.
ASUU had previously expressed concerns over the failure of the government to appoint Governing Councils for Federal Universities and criticized what they perceived as the government’s neglect of academic matters.
Additionally, ASUU contested the recent salary increments for university professors and other academics, viewing them as potentially reversible wage awards.
The National Universities Commission had dissolved the governing councils of all federal universities, in line with a directive from President Bola Tinubu, further exacerbating tensions between ASUU and the government.
As the strike continues, ASUU remains committed to the cause, prepared to extend their action until their demands are met, even beyond the resolution of the minimum wage dispute with the government.
