The University of Jos Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it may embark on an industrial action if the Federal Government fails to meet its long-standing demands.
Speaking during a meeting convened by the union’s Students Relations Committee on Friday in Jos, the ASUU Chairperson, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, said the gathering aimed to engage students and other stakeholders on the government’s continued neglect of issues affecting the university system.
Molwus expressed concern that the union might not be able to guarantee the industrial harmony enjoyed over the past two years, blaming the government’s persistent failure to address lecturers’ welfare and unpaid entitlements.
“ASUU has sustained peace on campus for the past two years, but at great cost to the welfare of our members,” Molwus said. “We have given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum, which expires on October 13. If our demands remain unaddressed, we will embark on a two-week warning strike.”
He explained that the decision to issue the ultimatum followed the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on September 28 in Abuja, emphasizing that ASUU’s struggle is not self-serving but aimed at strengthening the quality of education in Nigerian universities.
Also speaking, Miss Jane Pwajok, President of the Students Union Government (SUG), commended ASUU for engaging directly with students, describing the meeting as enlightening and revealing.
She acknowledged the union’s efforts to improve the education sector but urged it to explore alternative ways of pressing home its demands instead of resorting to strike actions.
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