ASUU explains reason for declaring lecture-free day as nationwide strike looms

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has provided reason for the declaration of lecture-free day in the universities across the country, just as it has hinted of a possible industrial action any moment from now due to its dispute with the federal government over unresolved issues in the education sector.

The union said that it is embarking on a lecture-free day in the universities across the country on Monday, February 7, 2022, to sensitize the university communities and the public on the failure of the government to honour an agreement the parties entered into in December 2020, and which led to the suspension of the then 9-month prolonged strike.

According to media reports, this was confirmed on Saturday by the National President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, who said that multiple circulars had been sent to various branches of the union announcing the decision.

Osodeke said that the national body had instructed all the chapters to sensitise the public on the nobleness of its cause.

This is coming barely a few days after the Chairman ASUU University of Jos chapter, Dr Lazarus Maigoro, had said that the members of the union would soon embark on an indefinite strike to press home its demands as it accuses government of not keeping to agreements that were reached.

However, Osodeke clarified that the union had not yet declared a strike but would be sensitising the public, which includes the media, on the state of affairs between the union and the Federal Government.

President Muhammadu Buhari, had less than a week ago, assured of his administration’s commitment towards fulfilling the agreement with the ASUU, pleading with the union to exercise patience and consider current economic realities.