Strike: Seek alternative means of survival, ASUU tells members

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged members to consider alternative means of survival as its face-off with the federal government lingers.

Theophilus Lagi, the union’s Abuja zone coordinator, spoke during a briefing held at the Gwagwalada campus of the University of Abuja on Tuesday.

ASUU said the measure has become imperative following the federal government’s refusal to pay the salaries of its members since February.

The union, however, vowed that it won’t shelve the ongoing strike until its demands are met by the federal government.

ASUU also called out Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, accusing him of showing “disdain for Nigerian academics” with his recent utterances.

“Our members have been advised to seek other legitimate means of survival as the government has not released salaries withheld since February 2020,” the union said.

“One need not be a psychologist to understand the behaviour and recent utterances of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige. The Minister has clearly shown his disdain for Nigerian academics and has failed to play the role of an unbiased umpire in moderating the imbroglio.

“In the past few weeks, for instance, Ngige has said one thing when he met with the union and a different thing on the same subject in interviews with the media.

“Our members are relentlessly determined to continue with the ongoing strike until our demands are met.”