ASUUGombe State University Declares Indefinite Strike Over Unmet Demands
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Gombe State University chapter, has embarked on a total and indefinite strike, citing unmet demands and deteriorating working conditions. The strike, which is the first of its kind since the university's establishment, was declared following a congress meeting on Wednesday.
Key among the union's grievances is the non-implementation of a 2021 Memorandum of Action (MOA), which outlined crucial financial improvements for the institution. These unresolved issues include unpaid academic allowances, the absence of a training fund for academic staff, unfulfilled minimum wage adjustments, and the non-payment of promotional arrears from 2020 to 2023.
Despite the government's initial agreement to provide increased funding, lecturers claim that only two months' worth of additional funds were disbursed in 2021. The persistent underfunding has also forced the university to introduce extra fees, adding more financial burden to the students.
In a statement released by the ASUU Gombe chapter, the lecturers expressed their frustration over the lack of progress, despite efforts to resolve the issues through discussions with prominent state figures.
"The members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Gombe State University branch have endured debilitating working conditions in the university for too long as a result of inadequate funding, non-implementation of the 2021 MOA, and refusal to implement the current salary table for academics in Nigerian universities," the statement read.
With no tangible outcomes from negotiations, the union emphasized that they were left with no option but to strike. The indefinite strike is expected to have a significant impact on academic activities at the university, further straining the institution’s relationship with the government.
The ASUU Gombe chapter has urged the state government to urgently address their demands to restore normalcy to the academic environment.
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