Nigerian University Faces Shutdown as ASUU Declares Strike

ASUU declares an indefinite strike at a major Nigerian university, disrupting academic activities and leaving students in uncertainty.

Unresolved welfare concerns were cited as the main reason behind an indefinite strike announced on Wednesday, September 11 by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Gombe State University (GSU).

During a press briefing, Suleiman Salihu, the GSU branch chairman of ASUU disclosed that the university’s prevailing teaching and learning conditions prompted them to initiate the strike.

Despite utilizing various channels to address these concerns multiple times, the state government has not offered satisfactory solutions.

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Salihu pointed out that GSU hasn’t enforced the accepted N30,000 minimum wage. Consequently, employees are receiving incomes based on an obsolete 2012 chart.

He also highlighted that the 2021 Memorandum of Action (MoA) has not been respected by the government, which contained clauses for a yearly allocation of N50 million to the university.

Salihu highlighted that the failure to enforce the 2021 MoA, a lack of heightened financial support for universities, and nonpayment of accumulated EAA are crucial concerns. He further stressed how not receiving EAA for more than five years has substantially impeded GSU personnel’s capacity to carry out their duties efficiently.

The objective of the strike is to pressure the state government into tackling persistent problems and enhancing both working conditions and assistance for university employees.