ASUU Cries Out: FG, VCs Victimising Our Members

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the Federal Government and some university vice chancellors of victimising its members across the country.

The union called on the government to urgently fulfill the agreement reached at the end of their 2022 strike action.
Speaking at a press conference in Sokoto, the Chairman of ASUU’s Sokoto Zone, Prof. Abubakar Yabo, lamented that the Federal Government had not addressed key aspects of the agreement, including:

* Release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike.
* Payment of outstanding salaries for staff on special appointments affected by the payroll system (IPPIS).
* Release of withheld union dues and cooperative contributions.
* Funding for the revitalisation of public universities as budgeted for in 2023.

Yabo further criticized the government and some vice chancellors for resorting to “victimisation and emotional assault” of ASUU members instead of honoring the agreement. He called this approach destructive to the public university system.

The union also highlighted the negative impact of the current economic hardship on the teaching and learning environment, urging the government to prioritise public universities and respect academic freedom.

ASUU condemned the actions of “overzealous university vice chancellors” in the zone who they claim are abusing their power and targeting union members. The union demanded these universities treat academics with respect, following global best practices.

Finally, ASUU called on the Federal Government to abandon its “anti-intellectual posture” and treat public universities with dignity by fulfilling the agreement. They emphasized the importance of a healthy public university system for the nation’s survival.

The ASUU Sokoto zone represents universities in Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara states.