The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that the ongoing strike by its members may last for a prolong time as no concrete resolution has been reached in the negotiation with the Federal Government. The president of the union, Biodun Ogunyemi called on parents and students to show understanding and solidarity with the union as this is towards saving Nigeria’s university system from collapse.
“We want to call on our students and parents to show understanding with our struggle as we are in this together.
“The struggle is to ensure too that we save Nigerian universities from going the way our public primary and secondary schools have gone.
“Today, most parents are sending their children and wards to private primary and secondary schools around the country because of the perceived or alleged falling standards.
“We do not want our universities to go the same way because a lot of our parents may not be able to afford the private university fees,’’ he said.
The ASUU boss stated that the both the federal and state governments need to urgently reconsider their approach toward the development of universities to avoid an outright collapse in the near future.
Reacting to the outcome of the last meeting with the FG held on November 26th, the ASUU president said that instead of coming up with firm commitment on what to do about these demands, the FG delegate were appealing to the union to go back to the classrooms while they tackle the issues; this he described as missing the point.
He finally added that ASUU was told that further negotiation will continue on Friday, November 30 but ASUU is yet to receive any notice of meeting to that effect.
