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Tag: ASUU

  • Angry ASUU alleges FG frustrating GIFMIS to blackmail us for rejecting IPPIS

    Angry ASUU alleges FG frustrating GIFMIS to blackmail us for rejecting IPPIS

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the Federal Government of frustrating the smooth operations of the newly introduced Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) that replaced the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), which was once controversial.

    The union alleged that government is using all known tactics to ensure the new system does not work in favour of university workers, especially lecturers, as a punishment for rejecting IPPIS.

    The national president of the union, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, stated this over the weekend in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Tribune when he was asked for update on the N50 billion recently released by the Federal Government to settle some arrears of earned allowances of the university workers.

    Osodeke noted that not only had ASUU members and their non-academic colleagues yet to receive the allowances two weeks after the government made the public announcement of the release of the money, but that some of them were also yet to be paid April salaries.

    “Many of us lecturers have not received our April salaries as we speak, and the issue is nothing other than to blackmail our members for rejecting IPPIS and to bring us back to the platform,” he said.

    He disclosed that workers who are still on the IPPIS platform have already been paid their April salaries since the first week of May while those who migrated to the new platform have yet to be paid till date.

    “The government’s action is a deliberate attempt to blackmail us for leaving IPPIS platform. Government will claim that we would have been paid all this money if we had remained under IPPIS platform.

    “But we are only being patient, as we will make the issue out of the situation by next month if it remains unaddressed,” he said.

  • ASUU elects new president, Chris Piwuna

    ASUU elects new president, Chris Piwuna

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected a new president, Chris Piwuna, the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos.

    TheNewsGuru reports, that election took place at the union’s 23rd National Delegates Congress which held at the University of Benin in Benin City, Edo State.

    Piwuna won the contest against Prof. Adamu Babayo from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University.

    His tenure is set to begin amidst speculation of potential industrial action over issues like the Earned Academic Allowances and brain drain in Nigerian universities.

    ASUU has also been seeking a comprehensive overhaul of the university system, including improved infrastructure, enhanced academic freedom, and a more sustainable funding model.

    Piwuna, before assuming the leadership position was a consultant psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital.

    Following his emergence, he will succeed Prof. Victor Osodeke, a soil science professor from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture.

  • Tinubu fulfills promise to varsity unions, releases N50bn to ASUU, NASU

    Tinubu fulfills promise to varsity unions, releases N50bn to ASUU, NASU

    Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has announced the release of ₦50 billion by the Federal Government to the academic and non-academic staff unions of federal universities.

    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday by Director Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.

    Alausa said that the money was for settlement of earned allowances, as promised by President Bola Tinubu.

    According to him, this ‘landmark development’ stands as yet another testament to Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s education sector.

    “It reflects the administration’s bold resolve to transition the nation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy through strategic investments in education, infrastructure and human capital.

    “This intervention is not just a financial transaction, it is a reaffirmation of our president’s belief in the capacity of Nigerian youths and the invaluable role that academic and non-academic staff play in nurturing them.

    “By prioritising their welfare, we are laying the foundation for a future where every Nigerian child receives highly qualitative and globally competitive education,” he said.

    The minister expressed the president’s heartfelt appreciation to both academic and non-academic unions for their sustained trust in his administration and for fostering an atmosphere of peace and cooperation across the country’s federal institutions.

    “Notably, the country is currently experiencing one of the longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent history.

    “This is a feat attributed to the mutual understanding and shared commitment between the government and the university community,” he said.

    Alausa pledged to continue working collaboratively with all stakeholders across the education value chain to ensure that every Nigerian child had access to quality education comparable to global standards.

  • KASU prepares for ASUU strike

    KASU prepares for ASUU strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Kaduna State University (KASU) branch is on the verge of another industrial action due to some unresolved issues with the state government.

    This was contained in a statement signed by Dr Peter Adamu, the Chairman , ASUU KASU branch and issued to newsmen on Thursday in Kaduna.

    Recall that the union had embarked on an indefinite strike on Feb. 18, 2025 over some outstanding issues, but called it off after six days.

    Adamu alleged that the Kaduna State Government had cancelled two scheduled meetings with ASUU, which raised concerns about its commitment to resolving the issues.

    He listed the outstanding issues to include; withheld salaries for May to September 2022, outstanding SIWES supervision allowances, earned academic allowance, promotion arrears and pension remittance.

    Others, he said, included; group life assurance/death benefits, wage award and consequential adjustment salaries and financial autonomy.

    He believed that the government had returned to default settings, leaving ASUU with no choice but to consider resuming the strike.

    According to him, the agreements reached by both parties were flexible, but the government’s lack of commitment is eroding trust.

    The chairman appealed to the governor and the stakeholders to intervene and avert a needless industrial action that could further plunge the university into comatose.

    He also called for a swift intervention to address the lecturers’ grievances and ensure academic stability.

  • Kaduna varsity ASUU suspends strike

    Kaduna varsity ASUU suspends strike

    The Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended the strike ir embarked upon on Feb. 18.

    This is cntained in a statement issed by Dr Peter Adamu, the Chairman of ASUU, KASU chapter on Monday.

    Adamu said that the decision to suspend the action, was taken on Saturday.

    ”The government demonstrated goodwill in resolving the impasse by immediately releasing funds to pay the 60 per cent  of September 2017 withheld salaries and Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) supervision allowance for five sessions.

    ”The government also agreed to a timeline for the payment of the five months, May to September 2022 withheld salaries, promotion arrears, Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), Pension remittance (2009 to 2019), Death benefits, and Group Life Assurance,” he said.

    Adamu also said that the government showed commitment to the implementation of wage award and to grant autonomy to the university.

    The union expressed its appreciation to Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, for his swift intervention and leadership in resolving the issues that led to the strike action.

    The union also thanked the university management, Commissioners for Education, Sports, and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring a quick resolution of the impasse.

    Adamu called on all academic staff to resume duties and continue rendering invaluable services to the university community.

  • KASU-ASUU begins indefinite strike

    KASU-ASUU begins indefinite strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) Branch, has declared indefinite strike beginning from Feb. 18, over unresolved welfare concerns.

    The union announced the decision in a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Peter Adamu and Secretary, Dr Peter Waziri, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    The statement said that the action followed the approval of the union’s National Executive Council.

    “The Academic Staff Union of Universities, KASU branch wishes to notify the public that its National Executive Council has approved the request of the congress of the branch to proceed on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike with effect from today,  Feb.18, 2025.

    “Congress unanimously and vehemently rejected the promises from the government of Kaduna State for lack of substance, specific details and actionable timelines on the payment of the outstanding entitlements to members,” the statement said.

    The union identified one of the unresolved welfare issues as non-payment of all withheld salaries, which included 60 per cent in September 2017 and May to September 2022.

    Other issues, it said, were non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances from 2016 till date,  payment of promotion arrears and Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme supervision allowances.

    Also unresolved were Group Life Assurance and other entitlements to deceased members, non-remittance of pension from 2009 to 2019, and implementation of 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage award.

    Another grey area, according to the union, is the restoration of the university autonomy.

  • We’re not going on strike – KASU ASUU

    We’re not going on strike – KASU ASUU

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) branch, has denied reports of an impending indefinite strike starting February 11, 2025.

    The union described the news report as baseless and not originating from it.

    In a statement signed by the ASUU Chairman, KASU branch, Dr Peter Adamu, and his Secretary, Dr Peter Waziri, they said ASUU KASU was well-versed in extant labour laws and procedures.

    “We would not embark on any strike action without following due process,”they said.

    The duo revealed that that the union has been engaging with the state government to address outstanding welfare issues that accumulated during the previous administration.

    They disclosed that Gov. Uba Sani’s administration was committed to establishing a payment schedule to settle the outstanding amounts.

  • ASUU to begin indefinite strike over welfare issues

    ASUU to begin indefinite strike over welfare issues

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) Branch, has announced plans to embark on an indefinite strike starting February 11 due to unresolved welfare concerns.

    The union made the announcement in a letter signed by its Chairman, Dr Peter Adamu, and Secretary, Dr Peter Waziri, which was addressed to the national body seeking approval for the action.

    The letter, which was obtained in Abuja on Tuesday, highlighted the union’s decision to strike as a result of the non-response from the Kaduna State Government regarding their grievances.

    The key issues raised by the union include the non-payment of five months’ salaries from May to September 2022, 60 per cent of salaries for September 2017, and other withheld payments for academic staff.

    Additionally, there are unresolved concerns over the non-payment of Earned Academic Allowance from 2015 to 2020, and Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) allowances from 2016 to 2023.

    The union also pointed to issues such as the remittance of pension funds from 2009 to 2019 and promotion arrears from 2019 to 2023.

    Additionally, there has been a failure to pay Group Life Insurance benefits for deceased academic staff from 2020 to the present.

    The lecturers recalled that they had met with Gov. Uba Sani on Aug. 17, 2024, to discuss these matters, and the governor had promised to pay the outstanding entitlements.

    Following this meeting, the union sent a letter dated Aug. 20, 2024, through the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Mohammed Bello, reminding the governor of the promise to pay the arrears in installments.

    In an effort to resolve the issue, the union followed up with another appeal on Oct. 28, 2024, urging for a swift resolution of the welfare concerns.

    On Dec. 17, 2024, the governor held another meeting with the management and unions of tertiary institutions, where he announced that payment modalities would begin within three weeks.

    However, the union stated in a letter dated Jan. 17, 2025, that in spite of the governor’s assurances, no information regarding the payment modalities had been received by the union, three weeks after the promised timeframe.

    “We are writing to remind you that today, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, marks 3 weeks since the meeting was held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.

    “We are yet to receive any information on the payment modalities as promised by His Excellency,” the letter read.

    With no response from the government, the union expressed that it had no option but to proceed with the indefinite strike, in a bid to press for the resolution of these outstanding issues.

    NAN

  • Taraba varsity ASUU suspends one-month-old strike

    Taraba varsity ASUU suspends one-month-old strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba University chapter, has suspended it’s one month old strike action.

    This is contained in a statement  by the chapter chairman,  Dr Joshua Mbaver, which was  made available to newsmen on Saturday in Jalingo.

    The statement said that the suspension followed the state government’s acceptance to meet the demands of the union, which necessitated the strike action on December 5, 2024.

    ASUU said the strike action was caused  by the state government’s partial implementation of multiple Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) and Memoranda of Actions (MoAs) agreed upon with the Union since 2014.

    It quoted the ASUU chairman as saying that key issues under dispute have been addressed by the state government with commitments.

    “We reached an agreement that the government, through the Governing Council, will enhance university funding in line with Taraba State Law No. 4 of 2008.

    “Also, an initial payment of 10 per cent of the total accumulated sum for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), has been disbursed.

    “Subsequently, five per cent of the accumulated sum will be released monthly, commencing in February 2025, until the entire arrears are fully defrayed,” he said.

    It also said that the government had approved the implementation of a “State-Defined Pension Scheme,” with specific provisions for the prompt and efficient payment of benefits.

    “A template for clearing arrears will be finalised by the first week of February 2025.

    “Membership will be adjusted to comply with statutory requirements for the constitution of the University Governing Council.

    “Government has also implemented the new national minimum wage and consequential adjustments, with a commitment to timely salary payments.

    ASUU added that following the agreements in place and with the approval of ASUU National body, the strike action has been suspended with immediate effect.

    The chapter extended gratitude to ASUU National, the Zonal leadership, and the TSU Congress for their unwavering support, which culminated in the successful resolution of the struggle.

    The chairman thanked Gov Agbu Kefas for his steadfast commitment and proactive leadership in resolving the industrial dispute.

    The union also expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their unwavering support and contributions, which facilitated the resolution.

    ASUU commended the leadership of the Ministry of Tertiary Education and the University Administration for their collaborative efforts that made the resolution possible.

    Recall that the union embarked on an indefinite strike on December 5, 2024 to press for it’s demands.

  • ASUU-LASUED threatens strike

    ASUU-LASUED threatens strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) Chapter, on Saturday threatened to embark on strike over  poor welfare package and wage irregularity.

    At a news conference in Lagos, the Chairman of the chapter, Dr Akolade Lapite, said that the members might resort to strike to press home their demands.

    He said that poor welfare package and wage irregularity were negatively impacting teaching and learning in the university.

    Lapite said that the chapter was demanding payment of the approved  25 to 35 per cent salary increase which, he said, was being enjoyed   by other institutions.

    He said the union had been mounting pressure for the payment and had noticed that the institution’s  January 2025 salary template showed increase in its workers’ salaries but with a ‘shocking’ irregularity.

    He said that the template revealed that instead of the 25 to 35 per cent increase, some workers would receive five per cent salary increase and others, eight per cent and 10 per cent.

    According to him,  members of the union  are owed 72 months arrears of salary increment.

    “The system has deprived us hazard and transport allowances that other tertiary institutions in the state have enjoyed since 2013.

    “Government once assured us that it would pay the outstanding allowances but efforts and appeals to make government fulfill its promise have failed.

    “It is worth noting that these allowances are statutory, and colleagues from other institutions have received theirs all along,” he said.

    He described the delay in the payment as unjust, saying it had also caused low morale among the ASUU members.

    Also, a member of the union, Mr Victor Akinola, said that since the university’s upgrade from a college of education three years ago, its infrastructure had yet to reflect its university status.

    Akinola said that the university, which had seven colleges and 25 departments, lacked operational vehicles to facilitate teaching and learning.

    “The staff have difficulty in transporting themselves to the university’s Epe Campus weekly to attend lectures.

    “Some of us who were relocated to Epe campus are still in the main campus because the relocation allowance is yet to be paid, making them unable to hire a house in Epe.

    “The students are equally at the receiving end because a lecturer that spent seven hours on the road can rarely perform optimally in class,” he said.