The recent 21-day ultimatum issued by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to the federal and state governments underscores a continuing and disturbing failure of the government to fulfil its promise.

Development Diaries reports that ASUU has given the federal and state governments a fresh ultimatum to meet its demands or it will commence a nationwide strike.

According to its latest press release, ASUU has asked the governments to address all the ‘outstanding issues’ hindering the development of the nation’s universities for which it last went on strike in 2022.

It is understood that the union has rejected the ‘slow pace of the intervention’ by the Minister of Education in resolving pending issues and demands.

The issues highlighted involve reviewing and signing the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement and impactful funding, including the emergency revitalisation fund for public universities, payment of outstanding earned academic allowances, release of withheld salaries, promotion arrears and third-party deductions of its members, amongst other issues.

It appears the underlying issues that led to the protracted strike in 2022 have not been addressed.

This lack of resolution highlights a recurring pattern of neglect and insufficient commitment to the needs of public universities, which ultimately undermines the quality of education and hinders the nation’s development.

Moreover, it raises serious concerns about accountability in governance, particularly in the education sector.

The repeated inability of the government to meet ASUU’s demands reflects a broader issue of nonchalance and inefficiency within the system.

It questions the government’s transparency and commitment to fulfilling its promises, leaving the academic community frustrated with the persistent delays and unfulfilled commitments.

The government’s consistent failure to address these ‘outstanding issues’ also indicates a lack of strategic foresight and prioritisation of critical sectors.

Education is fundamental to national development, yet the government’s approach to resolving ASUU’s grievances suggests a disregard for the long-term consequences of an unstable academic environment.

If the government fails to act within the stipulated period, the nation risks another disruptive strike, further worsening the challenges faced by the higher education system and compromising the future of countless students.

Development Diaries, therefore, calls on President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Maman, to demonstrate a firm commitment to meeting the demands of ASUU to avoid further disruption and ensure the sustainability of the nation’s academic institutions.

Photo source: ASUU News