The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a two-week deadline to address its demands for better welfare and administrative conditions in public universities, warning of a potential nationwide strike.

During a press conference at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, on Friday, Mrs. Happiness Uduk, ASUU’s Zonal Coordinator for the Calabar Zone, stressed the urgency of these demands. Uduk pointed out that the government’s failure to honor the 2009 FG-ASUU agreement has resulted in stagnant salary scales and minimal welfare improvements over the past 15 years.

“ASUU members have been on the same salary scale for 15 years without any change. We urge the government to complete the negotiations initiated over 13 years ago, under different teams, and take into account current economic realities such as inflation and exchange rates,” Uduk stated.

ASUU is pushing for several key issues, including the renegotiation of the revitalization fund for public universities, payment of academic allowances, withheld salaries, high taxation, and the alleged victimization of ASUU members. Uduk also reiterated ASUU’s demand to remove its members from the Integrated Personnel Payroll System (IPPIS), advocating for the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) or similar internally developed platforms.

She called on the Abia Government to promptly settle the 11-month salary arrears owed to ABSU lecturers and criticized the use of the Treasury Single Account for salary payments. Additionally, she highlighted grievances at Ebonyi State University, where some members have allegedly been suspended without pay for over two years, calling for their immediate reinstatement.

Uduk proposed replacing the Federal Government’s student loan scheme with grants to ease financial burdens on students and enhance academic pursuits. She also called for a halt to the proliferation of universities and advocated for increased funding to improve standards in existing institutions.

The ASUU coordinator concluded by emphasizing that ongoing engagement with stakeholders aims to urge the government to act swiftly.

“If the issues remain unresolved, ASUU plans to commence a nationwide strike in two weeks,” she declared.