The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) chapter, said on Thursday that it will support the national leadership’s call for a nationwide indefinite strike if the federal government fails to meet the union’s demands after the 21-day ultimatum.
Addressing reporters after their Congress and a peaceful march on the school premises, UNN-ASUU Chairman, Oyibo Eze, urged the government to address ASUU’s demands that have been pending since 2009 or risk a nationwide indefinite strike.
He said, “This congress resolution is that if after 21 days the government fails to do the needful by implementing all agreements entered with ASUU since 2009, the national leadership should proceed with an indefinite nationwide strike.
“Members in this congress say enough is enough of government insincerity in redeeming the agreements it signed since 2009.”
The lecturers, who marched around the institution, carried placards, some of which read: “Kill Education, Kill the Nation,” “Nigerian Lecturers are the Least Paid Globally,” “Government Should Honour Agreement with ASUU Since 2009 – It Is a Moral Question,” “Government Stop Forcing ASUU to Embark on Strike,” “Government Don’t Kill University Education in Nigeria,” and “No Pay, No Work,” among others.
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Oyibo, speaking while handing over the protest letter to the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Romaus Ezeokonkwo, said the protest was not against UNN but against the federal government, which had failed to implement agreements reached with ASUU since 2009.
“This protest march is to create awareness and urge Nigerians to prevail on the government to do the needful before the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum.
“UNN-ASUU has agreed in the congress to support a nationwide indefinite strike if the government fails to do the needful,” he said.
Responding, Ezeokonkwo commended the union for the peaceful protest as well as various interventions by ASUU national leadership that have gone a long way in improving infrastructure, teaching, and learning in public universities.
