The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has extended its six-month-old strike. The decision was taken after a series of heated discussions at the National Executive Council meeting held at the union’s headquarters at the University of Abuja this morning.
A member of the union, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development to a TV media following a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the striking varsity teachers at the University of Abuja. He did not disclose how long the union had extended the industrial action.
University teachers seek improved welfare, the revitalisation of public universities, and academic autonomy, among others. Several meetings between government representatives and ASUU have ended in deadlock.
Since the dispute, several groups and individuals have waded into the matter. The latest is human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who asked the Federal Government to sign the renegotiated agreement with the striking workers.
Falana stated in a statement he released on Sunday that “instead of engaging in the diversionary tactics of blackmailing ASUU, the Federal Government should ensure that the strike is called off by signing the Renegotiated Agreement with ASUU without any further delay.”
”While calling on both sides to resume the negotiations in the country’s interest, the Federal Government should be prevailed upon to end the prolonged industrial action.”
