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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Strike Looms as ASUU Warns Sokoto Varsities May Shut Down Over Neglect

From ThisDay · (12m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Lecturers at Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education have issued an ultimatum to the Sokoto State Government.
  • They warn of a potential shutdown of academic activities due to the government's neglect of staff welfare and unmet demands.
  • Key issues include the implementation of the FGN-ASUU 2025 Agreement, payment of Earned Academic Allowance, and remittance of union funds.

Thisday reports on a brewing crisis at Sokoto State University (SSU) and Shehu Shagari University of Education (SSUES), where the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) branches have issued a stark warning to the Sokoto State Government. The lecturers are threatening a total shutdown of academic activities if their long-standing grievances regarding staff welfare are not addressed promptly.

Lecturers at Sokoto State University and Shehu Shagari University of Education have issued a fresh ultimatum to the Sokoto State Government, warning that prolonged neglect of staff welfare could force a total shutdown of academic activities in both institutions.

— ThisdayReporting on the lecturers' warning.

The joint press release, signed by the chairpersons of ASUU-SSU and ASUU-SSUES, highlights a pattern of neglect despite repeated reminders. The unions emphasize that addressing these critical issues is essential for maintaining a harmonious working relationship, and failure to do so will leave them with no choice but to take disruptive action.

The two unions are making “an urgent plea for government intervention” to resolve critical issues they say have lingered “for quite some time” despite repeated reminders.

— Dr. Bello Musa and Dr. Shamsu KabiruDescribing the urgency of their demands.

Central to the dispute are seven major demands. These include the full implementation of the FGN-ASUU 2025 Agreement, which federal universities have already adopted, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, with substantial arrears owed to lecturers at both institutions. Furthermore, the unions accuse the Ministry of Finance of illegally withholding union funds since 2023, including cooperative deductions and check-off dues.

Addressing these issues substantially will sustain the harmonious working relationship.

— ASUU statementStating the condition for continued cooperation.

The article also points to governance issues at SSUES, which has reportedly operated without a Governing Council since its establishment in 2023, violating the Universities Act 2003. The absence of this council critically impacts recruitment, promotions, and financial approvals. Other demands include the payment of promotion arrears and arrears related to the national salary award. The lecturers' frustration is palpable, as they feel their concerns have been consistently ignored by state authorities.

Failure to promptly address these demands may compel our members to take action which may disrupt the academic activities of these universities.

— ASUU statementWarning of potential strike action.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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