Academic activities have been shut down completely following the declaration of an indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities at Nasarawa State University, Keffi over alleged unpaid entitlements amounting to over N3 billion.
Addressing members of the union at the branch congress in Keffi, ASUU Chairman, Dr. Zubairu Abdulmumini-Loko, said the branch had exhausted several avenues of dialogue and engagement with relevant authorities without securing satisfactory implementation of the agreements and resolution of the outstanding issues.
According to him, the decision was in line with resolutions reached at the last National Executive Council (NEC), meeting of the union held in July.
He, however, disclosed that the outstanding arrears to include Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), consequential adjustment from the implementation of the national minimum wage, and the federal government-approved salary increment for university lecturers.
He further maintained accused the university management and the Nasarawa State Government of insensitivity to the welfare of its members, despite several engagements.
He maintained that the union had held series of meetings with the university management, the Governing Council and the state government to resolve the issues without success.
His words, “Enough is enough. We have withdrawn our services. There will be no teaching, no supervision, no research until our money is paid.”
The ASUU chairman cautioned members of the union not to return to the classrooms until all outstanding entitlements are fully cleared.
Speaking to our correspondent in an exclusive interview shortly after the declaration of the indefinite industrial action, Obiri Fulfilment, 300 Level Student and Dahunsi Faith-Omolola, also a 300 level Student, Mass Communication Department, NSUK appealed to both the federal government and the state government to look into the demands of ASUU and address their grievances in order not to jeopardy their academic activities.
According to them, “We are frustrated with this unexpected indefinite industrial action declared by ASUU. In a weeks time we are going to start our second semester examination, immerging others universities about rounding up their second semester exams.
“The lecturers are putting in their best to ensure that we are academically sound and compete with other institutions. We see no reason why the federal government and state government are owing their money. However, they are really trying when it comes to issue of lecture and they deserve to be paid their money without necessary subjected them to hardship before paying them their money,” they expressed deep worry.
Umar Muhammed
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