A nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may be imminent as the three-week ultimatum given to the Federal Government to resolve their disputes expires next week.
The union had been expecting the government to intervene and address their concerns, but so far, there has been no positive response.
ASUU’s demands include the review of lecturers’ dismal conditions of service, signing of the draft renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, payment of arrears of promotion entitlements, release of withheld salaries, and adequate funding for education.
The union’s National Executive Council has directed branches to take action when salaries are not paid by the third day of a new month.
If the strike happens, it would paralyse the nation’s universities, and ASUU wants Nigerians to hold the Federal Government responsible for the disruption.
The government’s insincerity and refusal to honour agreements reached with the union have left lecturers with no option but to consider shutting down the system again.