The union said no fewer than 46 academics lost their lives
in universities under the Abuja zone, namely the University of Abuja, Federal
University of Technology, Minna, Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State
University, Nasarawa, and the Ibrahim Babaginda University, Lapai.
The union said it recently lost an eminent Professor of
Fisheries, Johnson Oyero, of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, due
to the inability to afford quality medical facilities.
The zonal coordinator, ASUU, Abuja zone, Salahu Muhammed
made this known in a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja.
“In the last decade, more Nigerian academics are leaving the
country in droves in search of greener pastures, thereby overworking the
patriotic ones that remain in the system whose level of patriotism is dwindling
on a daily basis due to poor remuneration and working conditions.
“It is also worthy of note that the union has lost several
members during the period under review due to herculean working conditions,
psychological and emotional stress, and diseases related to these conditions.
For instance, universities in the Abuja zone have lost 46 members.
“In fact, just two days back, the union lost an eminent
Professor of Fisheries, Johnson Oyero of the Federal University of Technology,
Minna due to inability to afford quality medical facility.”
Speaking further in the statement, Muhammed said the union
was also appalled by the failure of the Tinubu-led administration to honour
some of the commitments it made with the union in a bid to avert potential
industrial actions in universities.
Earlier, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, announced
some of the plans of the current administration to ensure that academics are
satisfied to prevent industrial actions.
Tahir noted that the government would implement a 35 per
cent salary increase for professors as recommended by the previous
administration.
He also noted that university academics will be exempted
from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System. The issue of the
IPPIS has been a major bone of contention between the Federal Government and
ASUU.
But Muhammed said the government has reneged on its promise.
He also called on the government to revisit all past agreements immediately.
“In conclusion, the union is calling on all well-meaning
Nigerians to prevail on the Federal Government of Nigeria to live up to its
expectations on the following: Conclude, sign, and immediately implement the
Prof. Nimi Briggs’ committee renegotiated agreement.
“Immediate payment of all withheld salaries, release of
promotion arrears, and Earned Academic Allowances.
“Immediate implementation of salary award (25 per cent and
35 per cent) and payment of its arrears from January 2023 to date in order to
avoid backlogs; Federal and State governments should stop the proliferation of
universities and Immediate implementation of exemption of universities from the
IPPIS.