ASUU: Not time for strike

The declaration of indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from last Monday is indeed a surprise at this time when the country and indeed the world is battling to find a solution to the Coronavirus pandemic, officially known as COVID-19.

Based on the briefings by both the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige and the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Biodun Ogunyemi after their last meeting, indications were that the disagreements between the government and the union will be resolved and there will be no need for strike by the lecturers.

The minister and the President spoke about progress made on how to resolve the issues of contention regarding the Integrated Personnel Payroll System ( IPPIS), unpaid deductions and other outstanding issues, and gave the impression the next meeting will be a formality to announce a firm agreement unlike the past ones that have not been adhered to.

Although the ASUU President clearly stated that government offer at the last meeting still has to be communicated to the union members for their review and approval, one would have thought that it would be good enough to put any strike in abeyance for now.


With the declaration of the two weeks warning strike, the lecturers did not leave the government in doubt about their determination to once and for all insist of getting a good deal to ensure their welfare and provision of adequate fund for the kind of tertiary education Nigerians deserve.

Unfortunately, ASUU is not pleased with its recent engagement with the government as its National Executive Council resolved that issues raised in the 2019 Memorandum of Action on sustainable funding have not been satisfactorily addressed. It also stated that the union’s objection on the IPPIS was ignored despite the earlier impression that its proposed pay roll recommendation will be accommodated among other demands.

While ASUU’s demands remains valid considering the various arguments they have offered now and in the past, their declaration of an indefinite strike should not have been now when all attention is focused on how we all can survive the Coronavirus onslaught.

Schools, including universities and other aspects of our daily lives have been shut down as we gradually approach a possible lock-down




nationwide. For now, no one, not even the government is sure of what could happen next unless more cases are not confirmed.

The federal government will definitely still have to reconsider the ASUU’s demand if we survive the present situation, but this is not the time for any union to talk of strike.

As it is, the economy is already badly hit and there are concerns about the government being able to meet some of its obligations. So, what is required for now is a combined efforts by all ensure that the virus does not continue to spread and solution on how to cushion the effects of the disruption caused by the various decisions the state and federal governments have been forced to take.