The Academic Staff Union of Universities has asked the federal government to stay away from the alleged victimisation of its members across public universities in the country.
The union gave the charge on Saturday while speaking to journalists at the Nigerian Union of Journalists Press Centre in Sokoto State. The zonal chairman of the union, Prof Abubakar Yabo, noted that the memorandum of action signed between the union and the Federal Government, which led to the suspension of the 2022 strike, which was part of the 2009 Nimi Briggs agreement, has been respected by the the federal government.
He noted that the agreements include the release of withheld three and a half months’ salaries due to the 2022 strike action and the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time and adjuncts appointment affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
It was further noted that the government, which has filed to uphold the truth and protect the sanctity of the public university system, are now serving as the people who are leading the destruction of the educational system in the country, which they should have been protecting and promoting.
The union also revealed that the current economic challenges that are affecting the country, which has been brought by the policies of the present government, have a teaching and learning environment; it was noted that the conditions had made the environment unconducive and unbearable for learning. He noted that the government has the duty to protect and respect academic freedom.
The statement established that the concerned universities should thread the path of civility and global best ways, which has been used in the treatment of other academics in the different parts of the world.
ASUU called on the federal government to stop all the activities that have led to the anti-intellectual posture and to treat all the structures in public universities with respect by staying true to the agreements that have been reached.
The statement noted that the survival of the government is tied to the success of the academic sector they called on the government to allow the universities to have a breathing space.
The institutions that comprise the Sokoto zone include Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Kastina, Katsina State University of Science and Technology, Sokoto State University, Federal University, Dustin-ma, Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Federal University Gusau, Shehu Shagari University of Education Sokoto, and Federal University Zuru.
