ASUU strike enters 2nd day - takes toll on LAUTECH, inaugural lecture, int'l conference affected

ASUU strike enters 2nd day – takes toll on LAUTECH, inaugural lecture, int’l conference affected

Femi OGUNLANA

The two-week warning strike declared in public universities by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Sunday has entered its second day.

At the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology LAUTECH Ogbomoso Oyo state, members of the branch have fully complied as they shunned classes Monday, this is according to the ASUU branch chairman Engr Olujimi Dada.

“There is total compliance in LAUTECH,” Engr Dada told ogbomosoinsightonline.com during a phone call. “No academic exercise, we are staying off work.”

ASUU declared the two-week warning strike citing the Federal Government’s reluctance to meet their long-standing demands.

The warning strike, which commences at midnight Sunday, was announced by the National President of the union, Professor Chris Piwuna, while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

Declaring ASUU’s position, Piwuna said the action became necessary because the Federal Government failed to meet the union’s demands after a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued had lapsed.

He warned that after the two-week warning strike, if the government still failed to act, the union would proceed on a total and comprehensive strike.

Professor Piwuna explained that the action was aimed at drawing attention to the government’s persistent refusal to implement agreements and address critical issues affecting Nigerian universities.

“It is regrettable to note that nothing significant has happened since our last briefing on the eight issues in dispute,” he said.

The unresolved issues include the conclusion and signing of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement; payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries; sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities; and an end to the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and FUTO.

Others are the settlement of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears; payment of promotion arrears spanning over four years; and release of withheld third-party deductions such as cooperative contributions and union dues.

Professor Piwuna noted that despite several appeals and assurances from government officials, including a letter dated September 30, 2025, from the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, nothing tangible had been achieved.

He disclosed that the outcome of an emergency meeting of the FGN/ASUU 2009 Agreement Renegotiation Committee held on October 10 was disappointing, describing the documents presented by the government as “provocative and inconsistent” with previous drafts.

“The hurriedly packaged documents were a total departure from the spirit of the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated agreement and incapable of dousing industrial tension across campuses,” the ASUU president said.

ASUU accused the government of bad faith and deliberate delay tactics, lamenting that months of negotiation had yielded no results.

“It is a betrayal of historic responsibility if we continue to fall for the government’s deception and manipulation,” Piwuna declared. “What is needed is the fundamental transformation of our university system, not token promises,” he said.

The union appealed for understanding from students, parents, and the public, stressing that its struggle was aimed at saving Nigeria’s university system from collapse.

“We invite patriotic Nigerians, workers, media practitioners, and civil society activists to join ASUU in this transformational mission,” the statement added.

“ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) has directed all its branches nationwide to withdraw their services effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025,” he insisted.

Strike takes its toll on LAUTECH

Investigations by Ogbomoso Insight have revealed that the strike has disrupted activities in LAUTECH.

An internal memorandum obtained shows the cancellation of an inaugural lecture scheduled to hold in the university on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

“I am writing on the directive of the Chairman, University Academic lectures Committee to inform the university community that the inaugural lecture earlier scheduled to hold on Thursday, October 16, 2025, has been postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing ASUU strike.”

The letter issued by Mrs. Julianah O.Oyetola, Deputy Registrar, Senate & Examinations/Secretary, Academic Lectures Committee, adds, “The university community will be notified of the new date in due course.”

Also, an international conference by the Faculty of Environmental Sciences scheduled to hold between October 14 and 17, has been rescheduled. Perhaps, a new venue would be found.

In the same vein, an emergency meeting in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources (CASRNR), planned for Tuesday to deliberate the “full and final vacation” of staff to the Iseyin campus, has suffered postponement.

‘Tragedy of monumental proportion’

In another development many students who spoke with Ogbomoso Insight expressed displeasure urging the Federal Government to meet the demands of ASUU. “We expect much more from President Tinubu,” a student of the institution who however preferred anonymity lamented. Mr. President schooled abroad where he didn’t experience such disruptions, he shouldn’t therefore allow the strike to linger or escalate, we see the strike as a tragedy of monumental proportion.”