‘We’re still on strike’ — ASUU reacts to FG’s directive on school reopening

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says its ongoing strike still continues despite the federal government’s directive that all schools can resume.

Adamu Adamu, minister of education, had during a briefing on Friday, announced that unity schools will resume on October 12.

He added that private and state schools will determine their own opening schedule but warned that they must ensure strict compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.

But reacting to the directive, Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU president, said members of the union will not resume work until its demands are met.

“ASUU is not responsible for the closure of schools. So, government has done what it knows how to do best, which is to give and follow-up on directives,” he told TheCable Lifestyle.

“As for ASUU, the demands of our union have not been met.”

He revealed that the union was expected to meet with the federal government on September 17, but the latter had withdrawn from the arrangement on the ground that it was not ready yet.

Ogunyemi said ASUU’s next line of action as regarding the ongoing strike will be determined by the outcome of the meeting.

He added that the union is still waiting for the federal government to communicate the new date for the meeting.

The union had in March declared an indefinite strike, citing the federal government’s failure to meet its demands.

The industrial action was on the back of disagreement with the government over issues on revitalization of universities and earned academic allowance.

Other issues raised by the union include the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as well as funding of universities.