ASUU Disputes Deepen Across State Universities as Governments Move to Resolve Crisis

By Cynthia Okere, Lagos

Industrial disputes are deepening across some Nigerian state-owned universities as governments and university authorities move to address lecturers’ demands and prevent further disruption to academic activities.

The development follows concerns by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, over the implementation of agreements relating to salaries, welfare and other conditions of service.

While some university branches have issued ultimatums, lecturers in some institutions have already commenced industrial action.

At the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, the Enugu State Government increased the institution’s monthly subvention from N161 million to N276 million as part of efforts to address concerns raised by lecturers and end the ongoing strike.

The government appealed to ASUU members to suspend the action and return to work. The union, however, would have to formally suspend the strike before academic activities can fully resume.

At Kaduna State University, KASU, ASUU has issued a two-week ultimatum over lecturers’ welfare and implementation of agreements.

The union also claimed that more than 200 academic staff had left the university because of poor working conditions. The figure remains ASUU’s claim and has been disputed by the university management.

Meanwhile, lecturers at Abia State University, Imo State University and Nasarawa State University have embarked on industrial actions over various unresolved demands.

The disputes are not part of a single nationwide ASUU strike, as the affected branches are at different stages of negotiations with their respective university authorities and state governments.

For students, attention will now be on whether ongoing negotiations can resolve the outstanding issues and prevent further disruption to academic calendars.