ASUU strike meant to ‘save public universities’ – President

National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke says the indefinite strike called by the union was to “save public universities”.

He said this in a Monday statement issued after ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the union’s headquarters at the University of Abuja.

Osodeke disclosed that NEC resolved to convert the roll-over strike into a “comprehensive, total and indefinite” strike.

He said the indefinite strike commences at 12:01 am on Tuesday, faulting the Federal Government for failing to adequately address the union’s demands.

Osodeke said that while ASUU was concerned about the pains university students were being put through, it had to embark on the course of action to save public university education in the country.

“ASUU NEC noted with pains, its concerns for Nigerian students who are also our wards and foster children and condemned Government’s seeming indifference to their plights. The Union empathizes with the students, their parents, as well as other stakeholders (including our colleagues who are undertaking their higher degrees) in the universities. ASUU reaffirms its belief in the sanctity of a stable academic system.

“Were it within our control, our universities would never have been shut for one day! However, ASUU was forced into taking this painful decision to prevent members of the Nigerian children from the ruling class and their foreign collaborators from further destroying whatever is left of our public universities. We are all victims.

“We need the understanding, solidarity and sacrifices of all to ensure that every qualified Nigerian youth who cannot afford the cost of private university education or foreign studies has unhindered access to quality university education. ASUU strikes are aimed at saving public education, and ensuring that Governments (Federal and State) use our common patrimony to support quality public university education. This is our collective obligation.

“In view of the foregoing, and following extensive deliberations on the government’s response to the resolution of 14th February 2022 so far, NEC concluded that the demands of the union had not been satisfactorily addressed.

“Consequently, NEC resolved to transmute the roll-over strike to a comprehensive, total and indefinite strike action beginning from 12.01a.m. on Monday, 29th August 2022,” Osodeke said.