During a press conference held in Lagos, Prof. Adelaja Odukoya, ASUU’s Lagos zone coordinator, expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s inaction on various fronts affecting the academic community.

ASUU’s Lagos Zone, representing prominent institutions such as the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Lagos University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Lagos University of Education (LASUED), and the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), highlighted several key concerns.

These include the non-release of agreed revitalization funds, the expansion of federal and state universities without adequate financial support, and the delay in renegotiating the 2009 Agreement.

Additionally, ASUU raised objections to the use of the “deceptive IPPIS” payment platform, delays in disbursing Earned Academic Allowances, and the persistent use of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) for university operations. The union also cited the incomplete payment of eight months’ withheld salaries, the failure to recall sacked ASUU officials at LASU, and the withholding of the university’s white paper on the 2021 Visitation Panel as major grievances.

ASUU criticized the previous administration’s “No-Work No-Pay” policy, highlighting its adverse financial impact on lecturers, especially amidst current economic challenges.

While acknowledging partial payments of withheld salaries, ASUU deemed them insufficient and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene promptly to prevent another strike.

The union stressed the urgent need for improved funding and attention to the public university system to maintain educational standards.

ASUU called upon the media, labour movements, student organizations, and civil societies to unite in supporting efforts to enhance Nigeria’s educational infrastructure and address systemic challenges affecting the academic community.