The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has delivered a stern 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, signaling a potential strike action rooted in unresolved grievances that span more than a decade.

In a statement released by Namo Timothy Aku, the Bauchi Zonal Coordinator, ASUU warned that failure to meet their demands could plunge public universities into another shutdown.

This ultimatum follows a history of strained relations between ASUU and the Federal Government, dating back to the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement.

The agreement, meant to address the revitalization of public universities, better funding, and the welfare of academic staff, has remained largely unimplemented, leading to recurrent industrial actions.

Research shows that since 2009, ASUU has embarked on multiple strikes, protesting unmet promises on the same issues: unpaid salaries, university autonomy, and infrastructural development.

The current 14-day ultimatum comes after a 21-day deadline that expired on September 14, 2024, with no meaningful response from the government.

Among the unresolved matters are the re-negotiation of the 2009 agreement, the release of unpaid salaries for academic staff, funding for university revitalization, and the replacement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) with the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

ASUU’s statement draws attention to a 2023 Presidential directive and a court order mandating the exit of universities from IPPIS, which have yet to be enforced.

Furthermore, the union pointed out that despite increased revenue from the removal of oil subsidies and the naira’s devaluation, the government has failed to prioritize education.

Citing past experiences, ASUU argues that the Federal Government’s “time-buying tactics” and reluctance to allocate adequate funds continue to undermine the quality of education in Nigeria.

The union maintains that it has made repeated efforts to engage the government constructively, but the lack of political will and commitment has fueled growing frustration within the academic community.

As ASUU sets another deadline—this time for October 7, 2024—the public awaits the government’s response.

The union made it clear that it should not be blamed for any disruption to academic activities after the ultimatum expires.