The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared its readiness to embark on what it describes as the ‘mother of all strikes,’ warning the Federal Government to act swiftly or face an unprecedented shutdown of academic activities nationwide.
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 fulfil the lingering 2009 agreements conceived to lift the standard of university education in the country.
He said the industrial action would begin once the national body declared the same after the Aug. 28 meeting.
Ubi listed the demands to include the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, sustainable funding for Nigerian universities, and revitalisation of universities.
The union also demanded 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 strategies 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.
