Nigeria’s public universities could be facing another shutdown as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) convenes this weekend to address concerns regarding the alleged obstruction of the N300 billion university revitalization fund.Sources indicate that officials from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Education may be attempting to withhold these funds, raising alarms among ASUU members.
The union has warned of potential industrial action if this matter isn’t promptly resolved.
A recent meeting involving Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, the Accountant General, and ASUU President Professor Emmanuel Osodeke resulted in an agreement to roll over the funds to this year. However, the Minister’s subsequent letter to the Accountant General requesting this rollover has been perceived by ASUU as merely an attempt to appease them.
ASUU has long been advocating for the implementation of a 2009 agreement with the Federal Government, which committed to providing N1.3 trillion in intervention funds for the revitalization of universities over a five-year period. Despite a review of the agreement in 2014, it has yet to be enacted, leading to multiple industrial actions by the union.
The Federal Ministry of Education is reportedly making urgent efforts to avert any strikes under the Tinubu administration.
Nevertheless, the outcome of ASUU’s upcoming meeting will be crucial in determining the next steps. If the situation remains unresolved, it could result in an extended strike, disrupting academic activities across public universities.
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