The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Emmanuel Osodeke, has raised the alarm over the death of 84 lecturers between May and August 2024 due to economic hardship and unpaid salaries. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources, Osodeke criticized the Federal Government for failing to honor the long-standing agreement with ASUU, which has left many academics struggling to survive.
Osodeke condemned the “no-work, no-pay” policy imposed during strikes, stating that many lecturers are owed several months of salaries despite the suspension of the last industrial action in October 2022. He emphasized the need for increased funding for Nigerian universities, noting that without adequate financial support, Nigerian lecturers cannot compete on a global scale.
ASUU has been in a protracted dispute with the government over the implementation of agreements reached as far back as 2009, including the removal of ASUU from the IPPIS platform, payment of earned academic allowances, and revitalization funds for universities. Osodeke warned that further delays in resolving these issues could lead to another strike that would shut down the university system once again.
The union has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve these issues, as the current silence from the government has left academics in dire financial straits, with many unable to afford basic necessities, healthcare, or provide for their families.
