The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said that both university lecturers and students are victims of the Federal Government’s continued failure to address pressing issues in the education sector.
ASUU’s National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, made this known on Monday during an interview on Politics Today, a current affairs programme aired on Channels Television.
The statement came just a day after ASUU declared a two-day warning strike to push for the fulfillment of long-standing demands.
Prof. Piwuna stated that the union’s members do not take joy in disrupting academic activities but have been forced into industrial action due to what he described as the government’s inaction and lack of genuine commitment to resolving critical issues.
“Both Nigerian students and the lecturers are victims of government inaction and several other things,” he said. “So, we see ourselves as victims of this government the way students see themselves as victims of what is going on.”
He also responded to a statement by the Minister of Education, who claimed that the government had met all of ASUU’s demands. Piwuna dismissed the claim, saying the minister should work closely with the union to find real solutions rather than making public statements.
“It is not my plan to respond to what the Minister of Education said… He’s our boss, but we need to work hand-in-hand,” he added.
ASUU has been in frequent disputes with the Federal Government over issues such as poor funding of universities, unpaid salaries, and the use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The latest warning strike is seen as a signal that a longer industrial action may follow if the government fails to take urgent steps.
