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Tag: Strike

  • Just in: Resident Doctors in FCT embark on seven-day warning strike

    Just in: Resident Doctors in FCT embark on seven-day warning strike

    The Association of Resident Doctors on Monday began a seven b-day warning strike.

    NARD revealed this in a communique issued by its President, Dr George Ebong, joined by other executive members.

    The resident doctors described the FCT health system as a long-standing systemic failure requiring comprehensive and immediate reform, reports Channels TV.

    Ebong stressed that doctors in the FCT were under immense pressure, frequently covering multiple departments.

    He called on the federal government to urgently address rising challenges in the health sector, warning that continued neglect could cause systemic collapse.

    The association also demanded urgent intervention in areas like manpower shortages, non-functional equipment, poor working conditions, and unpaid staff allowances.

    NARD also raised concerns over unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and underpayment of promoted staff, urging the government to act swiftly to boost healthcare worker morale and restore service efficiency.

    Ebong further advised that decision-making must include frontline health professionals.

    To underscore the urgency, the association gave the FCT administration a one-week deadline to begin meaningful reforms, especially on staffing and welfare, warning of a one-week warning strike if unmet.

    Talks Ongoing – FG

    Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Isaq Salako, has expressed confidence that the federal government’s ongoing talks with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will prevent the strike.

    “The National Association of Resident Doctors has issued an ultimatum, but I believe with the level of conversation ongoing, we had a meeting on Monday; we are making progress,” he said.

    According to him, the main issue is the outstanding residency training allowance, about 40 per cent of which for 2025 is yet to be paid.

    He, however, assured that discussions are underway to resolve the matter.

    When asked if the government could guarantee a resolution before the ultimatum expires, Salako added, “That is my hope, and that is what we are working on.”

  • ASUP threatens strike, alleges neglect by FG, states

    ASUP threatens strike, alleges neglect by FG, states

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Zone C (South-West) has expressed concern over unresolved issues negatively affecting polytechnic education and staff welfare.

    The union also expressed dissatisfaction at alleged  government insincerity in honouring agreements with it.

    Thr Coordinator of the zone, Mr Masopa Nurudeen, raised the concern at a news conference at the Gate Way (ICT) Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun, on Wednesday.

    He described the situation as unacceptable.

    The coordinator highlighted 13 major grievances of the union. including non-payment of  lecturers’ allowances, stalled promotions and poor infrastructure funding.

    He also listed failure to implement reforms contained in the Federal Ministry of Education’s approved roadmap.

    According to him, ASUP members will not want to continue working under such conditions.

    “Central to the demands is the unresolved Peculiar Academic Allowance, a product of the 2010 ASUP/FGN agreement. Continuity of the payment cannot be guaranteed without proper documentation from relevant agencies,” he said.

    He also expressed dissatisfaction that the Federal Ministry of Education allegedly permitted outsourcing of accreditation personnel.

    Nurudeen said that it compromised quality assurance, bred corruption, and imposed unnecessary financial burdens on institutions.

    “Another major concern is the failure to pay 12 months arrears of consequential salary adjustment.

    “We are not pleased with the situation. many staff have been unfairly deprived despite existing government pronouncements.

    “We equally condemn the delay in releasing the 2023 NEEDS Assessment Intervention Fund. Poor facilities remain a stumbling block for learning and research; yet, funds for redress remain locked.

    “Our members also frown at failure to implement the 2019 Federal Polytechnic Act across state-owned polytechnics. This has left staff vulnerable to forced retirement and other administrative injustices in several states,” he said.

    On Higher National Diploma/Bachelor’s Degree dichotomy, he noted that President Bola Tinubu had yet to sign a bill  passed by the National Assembly to end the dichotomy.

    He also raised concerns over non-payment of CONTISS 15 arrears for over a decade,  accusing some state governments of delaying payment of promotion arrears for years.

    The coordinator also alleged that Oyo State Government failed to appoint substantive principal officers fir Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa.

    “ASUP insists that four years of acting leadership is detrimental to growth.”

    He decried alleged militarisation of some campuses with armed operatives to intimidate ASUP members.

    “Equally worrisome to ASUP is the stalled renegotiation of the 2010 agreement with the Federal Government.

    “The union emphasises that 15 years without review shows government’s disregard for collective bargaining.

    “The union criticises the Federal Ministry of Education for abandoning the Rapid Response Committee mechanism.

    “We believe that reconvening such meetings could help to avert industrial disputes and create a platform for dialogue.”

    The coordinator warned that failure to resolve the issues would compel  the union to embark on a nationwide strike.

  • Strike: 2009 remains only binding agreement with ASUU -FG

    Strike: 2009 remains only binding agreement with ASUU -FG

    Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, says the most recent signed and binding agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) remains the 2009 agreement.

    The minister’s clarification was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mrs Folasade Boriowo.

    Boriowo explained that the minister’s remark during an interaction with journalists on Thursday, had been misinterpreted, hence the need to set the record straight.

    She recalled that in 2017, the then Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, inaugurated a renegotiation committee to review the 2009 agreement. The process led to the drafting of the Nimi Briggs agreement in May 2021.

    “However, it is important to stress that this 2021 draft agreement was not signed by the Federal Government,” she added.

    “When the minister stated yesterday that there had been “no new signed agreement” with ASUU, he was referring specifically to the 2021 draft Nimi Briggs document, which has not been formally executed.

    “The ministry, therefore, reaffirms that the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement remains the last formally signed agreement.

    “The 2021 Nimi Briggs draft agreement was not signed but serves as the latest framework for discussions,” she said.

    Boriowo added that the federal government remained committed to ending the 16-year stalemate with ASUU in a sustainable and constitutionally backed manner, ensuring universities remained open for teaching and research.

    “The Ministry of Education urges the public and all stakeholders to disregard any misinterpretations and to note that the federal government’s commitment to resolving issues with ASUU remains firm under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said.

  • Strike: ASUP gives 21-day ultimatum

    Strike: ASUP gives 21-day ultimatum

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to resolve issues negatively affecting polytechnic education in Nigeria.

    Mr Monday Ojo, Chairman of ASUP, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech),  announced the ultimatum at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos.

    He spoke on behalf of the President of ASUP, Mr Shammah Kpanja.

    Ojo  said that, at its emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, ASUP expressed concern over ‘disturbing developments’ threatening the stability of the polytechnic education sector.

    According to him,  the Federal Government has not been able to make commitments to resolving the issues.

    “This has left us with no choice but to issue this ultimatum. Our stand is for the Federal Government to address the issues satisfactorily.

    “Key issues raised include non-release of the circular for Peculiar Academic Allowance, unpaid arrears of the 25/35 per cent salary review, and continued discrimination against HND holders.

    “ASUP also faulted the delay in the release of the second round of NEEDS Assessment intervention, and criticised the Federal Ministry of Education for outsourcing quality assurance activities in polytechnics,” Ojo said.

    The official also decried failure of some state governments to implement the new minimum wage, and accused the Federal Government of stalling renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN 2010 Agreement.

    “Our members are demotivated by unpaid promotion arrears, with some dating back to 2019. This situation is unacceptable and worsening morale in institutions,” he added.

    The union leader also condemned unlawful disruption of union activities by security agents.

    He said that  ASUP was also dissatisfied with the inability of  the Federal Government to establish a dedicated polytechnic commission.

    “If these issues remain unresolved after 21 days, we may have no option but to declare a trade dispute and withdraw our services nationwide,” he warned.

    Earlier, Mr Masopa Nurudeen, ASUP Zone C Coordinator, said at a congress of  ASUP, Yabatech Chapter: “Salaries are inadequate, our members are undergoing financial difficulties and many individuals are struggling and performing additional tasks to cope with the economic situation.”

  • ASUU raises alarm over looming strike

    ASUU raises alarm over looming strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kano Zone, has called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

    The Zonal Coordinator, Mr Abdulkadir Muhammad made the call at a news briefing on Thursday in Kano.

    He listed the issues of concern to include the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement; sustainable funding of public universities; victimisation of ASUU members of LASU, and Prince Abubakar Audu University.

    Others, he said, were non-payment of 25/35 per cent salary arrears; non-payment of promotion arrears for over four years; and refusal to remit third-party deductions.

    Muhammad said the union was demanding the immediate signing and implementation of the report of the Yayale Ahmed-led Committee to avert a looming industrial crisis in public universities.

    He said that the government’s refusal to review salaries and improve the working conditions of lecturers for over 16 years had pauperised, demoralised and demotivated lecturers across the country.

    “The lecturers have run out of patience and evidently we cannot guarantee industrial harmony in our public universities.

    “We call on our students, parents, civil society organisations, media and other well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with ASUU to save Nigerian public universities from imminent collapse,’’ he said.

    Muhammad also expressed concern over worsening insecurity; high cost of living; rising poverty and widening wealth inequality in the country.

    He said that Nigerians were being kidnapped, maimed and killed almost on a daily basis by bandits, kidnappers and insurgents, leaving thousands internally displaced.

    “Many communities and property of innocent citizens had been vandalised and destroyed by criminal elements.

    “We remind governments at all levels of their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property of citizens,’’ Muhammad said.

  • Protest: UNN-ASUU ready to join nationwide strike

    Protest: UNN-ASUU ready to join nationwide strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) branch, says members are ready to join the impending nationwide indefinite strike, if the Federal Government fails to meet demands.

    Comrade Oyibo Eze, the Chairman of ASUU-UNN said this while briefing newsmen in Nsukka on Tuesday shortly after the union’s congress, followed by protest rally by members.

    Eze said Nigerians should hold government responsible in case of any nationwide indefinite strike by ASUU as government had failed to do the needful.

    “Government inability to implement agreement reached with the union since 2009 is very unfortunate and an indication that education is not the priority of government,” he said.

    The chairman said that the rally/protest was in compliance with the directive of the national leadership on branches of the union to carry out protest rally so as to appeal to government to do the needful.

    “We held congress earlier before carrying out this rally.

    ”Our members expressed their readiness to join any nationwide indefinite strike that may be directed by ASUU national leadership, if government fails to meet their demands.

    “The congress urged government to implement all agreements reached with the union as well as pay members three and half months salary owed them by the government.

    “That is why you see members in their numbers participating in this protest directed by ASUU national leadership because enough is enough of government failures to fulfill agreements entered with ASUU,” he said.

    He said that ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) would meet on Sept. 2, after meeting with the Federal Government on Aug. 28 to determine the next line of action.

    The protesters marched through some major roads in UNN and ended at the administrative building of the university.

    Addressing ASUU protesting members, the Vice-chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, represented by Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwo, the Deputy Vice-chancellor, Administration, commended ASUU for the peaceful protest in seeking their demands.

    Ortuanya urged the union to take the option of nationwide strike as the last resort after exploring all available avenues to resolve the issue with the government.

    The VC promised to forward the union’s demands to the Federal Ministry of Education.

    Some placards carried by the protesting ASUU members include “Federal Government honour the 2009 agreement with ASUU”.

    “Our wives and children are hungry; pay our three and half months salaries owed members, “Nigeria lecturers are the least paid globally”.

    Others are “FG please, pay lecturers wage awards of 25 per cent and 35 per cent”.

    ASUU National leadership recently directed its various branches to stage protest rallies on campus as well as conduct a referendum in congress to give backing to their proposed strike.

  • Ondo varsity ASUU protests over poor conditions of service

    Ondo varsity ASUU protests over poor conditions of service

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, on Tuesday embarked on a peaceful protest against poor conditions of service.

    The protesters sang solidarity songs, carrying placards with series of inscriptions like: “Is it a crime to be a lecturer in Nigeria?”; “FG, what is the offence of lecturers?” among others.

    Dr Rotimi Olorunisola, OAUSTECH’s ASUU Chairman, who addressed newsmen at the institution, accused the Federal Government of total neglect, saying the lecturer’s standard of living had continued to deteriorate.

    He also said the Federal Government abandoned the 2009 agreement, saying ASUU members were being offered loans instead of being paid a living wage.

    “We want the to ask the Federal Government what is the exact offence of ASUU members, because our welfare and conditions of services no longer matter to them.

    “ASUU members standard of living have continued to deteriorate and we ask if it’s a crime to be a lecturer in Nigeria?.

    “We want FG to implement the 2009 agreement which will touch us across the states, instead of giving us and our students loans, which will mortgage our future.

    “If all our demands are not addressed, the union cannot guarantee industrial harmony,” Olorunisola said.

    The ASUU chairman also said the peaceful protest was a result of the decision taken at the congress of the union earlier, in order to press home their demands.

    According to him, the ASUU chapter is waiting for the directive from the national body and will be glad to embark on nationwide strike.

    ASUU threatened a nationwide strike if the Federal Government refused to attend to its demands after the Aug. 28 national meeting over the 2009 agreement and other demands.

    UNIUYO joins nationwide ASUU protest over 2009 renegotiated agreement

    Similarly, ASUU, University of Uyo branch on Tuesday joined nationwide protest called by its national leadership over Federal Government’s failure to complete 2009 renegotiated agreement.

    The ASUU national leadership had ordered its branches across the country to shut down campuses and suspended all academic activities within the institution.

    Lecturers came out in their numbers and were seen matching on main campus of the University, the University annex and Ikpa road displaying placards with various inscriptions.

    Some of the placards read; “Our salaries are too poor’, ‘pay us sustainable living salaries’, ‘Treat lecturers with some dignity’, `We are FG lecturers and not borrowers’, ‘Government please sign and implement our renegotiated agreement,” among others.

    Addressing the newsmen, Prof. Opeyemi Olajide, Chairperson of ASUU UNIUYO, said that the lecturers in federal universities have been on a fixed salary for more than 16 years without any increase in spite the harsh economic realities.

    Olajide expressed dismay over government’s refusal to complete renegotiated 2009 agreement with the union or renegotiate their salary since 2012 it was due.

    He added that government had refused to pay third party deductions for salaries paid almost a year ago and arrears of promotion.

    The ASUU chairperson said that the union would no longer allow government to treat members’ welfare with levity.

    “Today, University lecturers are staging protest to let the world know how the federal government is treating us with disdain.

    “Federal Government of Nigeria has decided to destroy the public university system as it did to public primary and secondary schools.

    “Federal Government still withheld our salaries for three and half months after we have done the job. We have been on same salary for 16 years.

    “The Federal government has refused to fund infrastructure in public universities, look at where you are taking your exams, is it befitting?,” Olajide said.

    Also speaking, Dr Nwachukwu Anyim, former ASUU chairperson of the branch, said as the federal government’s move to review the salaries of political office holders, it is necessary they review that of university lecturers.

    “If you expect university lecturers to earn the same salary for over 16 years and you reviewing salaries of political office holders without that of lecturers, that is not good at all.

  • We are prepared for mother of all strikes – ASUU

    We are prepared for mother of all strikes – ASUU

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has disclosed that it is prepared for “the mother of all strikes” until its demands regarding the 2009 agreements with the Federal Government are implemented.

    The University of Calabar (Unical) chapter stated this at a news conference on Tuesday in Calabar.

    The chapter’s chairman, Dr Peter Ubi, said it was time for the Federal Government to fulfill the lingering agreements conceived to lift the standard of university education in the country.

    He said the industrial action would begin once the national body declared same after the Aug. 28 meeting.

    Ubi listed the demands to include the re-negotiation of the 2009 agreement, sustainable funding for Nigerian universities, revitalisation of universities.

    The union also demanded for the payment of the outstanding 25-35 per cent wage award and three months’ salary arrears, promotion arrears for over four years, and non-remittance of third-party deductions.

    “The government made promises on these issues, and regrettably, we are here today to inform the Nigerian public that these undisputed issues have not been resolved for several years now.

    “ASUU has tried several ways and strategic of resolving the conflict in the education sector.

    “Unfortunately, government, in its characteristics, has paid deaf ears to our demands and has constantly pushed our union to embark on strike.

    “In this regard, ASUU has to embark on strike to press the Federal Government to do the needful,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, the Unical chapter has called for a halt to the establishment of private universities in the country.

    Commending the government for the halt in establishing federal university, he said extending same to state and private universities would curtail proliferation of universities without standard.

    “We have 72 federal universities, 159 private universities, bringing the total to 339 universities, giving each state and the FCT an average of nine universities, excluding polytechnics and colleges of education.

    “We are also appealing that the moratorium be extended to private institutions.” he asked

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Federal Government had imposed a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

    NAN reports that the Federal Government cited the proliferation of under-utilised institutions, overstretched resources, and a drop in academic quality.

    It also reports that the decision was approved at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following a presentation by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.

    The Federal Executive Council, however, approved nine new universities in spite of the freeze.

  • FG clarifies new national industrial policy

    FG clarifies new national industrial policy

    The Federal Government has reaffirmed that the new National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP) does not criminalise workers’ embarking on strikes to press home their demands.

    Mr Muhammad Dingyadi, the Minister of Labour and Employment, said this during a media chat with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Recall the new NIRP 2025, was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    Organised labour and its affiliates have continued to express their dissatisfaction and rejection of the new policy.

    Dingyadi, however, said that, contrary to the position of labour, the NIRP will facilitate uninterrupted workflow, foster effective social dialogue, and promote tripartite cooperation among  government, employers, and workers.

    The minister said it was not true that the federal government was bringing up a policy that would criminalise strikes in the country.

    “Some people are just misconstruing or misunderstanding this policy. There is no intention to use that policy to prevent workers from going on strike.

    “In fact, it is there to ensure that there is peace and cordial relationship among  partners, government and employees.

    “The policy is emphasising on dialogue and there is no way we can prevent workers from going on strike,” he said

    The minister recalled that some workers embarked on a warning strike the previous week, without encumbrance from the government.

    On job creation, he said that the ministry is doing a lot to shift from old generation skills development to modern technology, encouraging training in the ICT, AI, to enhance skills..

    Dingyadi said that the ministry is also making effort to sign Memorandum of Understanding with different countries such as Saudi Arabia, UK, United States on jobs creation for the youths.

  • JUST IN: FG reacts as aviation unions shelve planned strike

    JUST IN: FG reacts as aviation unions shelve planned strike

    The Federal Government has confirmed that the planned strike by aviation unions, which was due to commence on Monday, has been suspended following its intervention.

    The union comprise of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUCPTRE).

    The unions issued a joint statement announcing the suspension of the industrial action.

    Speaking on the development, Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, attributed the breakthrough to sustained engagement and mutual trust built over time with organised labour in the aviation sector.

    “Given my long relationship with labour unions, I have continued to work with our comrades to find lasting solutions to issues that have been pending in the sector long before we came to office. By showing absolute good faith, the issues would be resolved one by one,” the Minister stated.

    The intervention is expected to pave the way for further negotiations aimed at addressing the longstanding challenges in the aviation sector.

    Recall that the aviation union had earlier issued a notice to proceed with an industrial strike action from tomorrow.

    However, in a notice to all Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) staff, the unions said they have decided to defer the strike action pending the state of affairs on the subject matter at the end of August 2025.

    The notice reads:  “…we were compelled by unfavourable circumstances surrounding our quest for improved remuneration to reinforce our earlier notice of withdrawal of services to the effect of issuing a clear directive to commence the action on Monday, 11 August 2025.

    “Now, however, due to the hard work of the Management of NAMA and the intervention of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and other senior officials of the Ministry, we are happy to report that there have been some positive developments around the issue.

    “In this respect, we note the release of the ‘no objection’ letter from the Budget Office to the National Incomes, Salaries and Wages Commission yesterday (7th August 2025), and the letter from the Management of NAMA to its staff to the effect of its strenuous efforts and expectations to ensure payment of the new remunerations along with August salaries.

    “Based on the above, and in order to demonstrate good faith, our unions have taken the decision to defer the strike action scheduled to commence on Monday, 11th August 2025, pending the state of affairs on the subject matter at the end of August 2025.

    “Accordingly, we enjoin all staff of NAMA to join us in keeping hopeful watch as the situation unfolds”.