In a statement to the press on Wednesday, ASUU branch Chairman Dr. Suleiman Salihu Jauro explained that the strike was deemed necessary because of the deteriorating quality of teaching and learning at the institution. He noted that the union had previously explored various avenues to resolve these issues amicably, but to no avail.
Key concerns include the failure to implement the 2021 Memorandum of Action (MoA) between ASUU and the state government, which pertains to increased funding for the university, as well as the non-payment of accumulated Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).
Dr. Jauro highlighted a significant aspect of the 2021 Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) that the government has failed to uphold, specifically the annual allocation of N50 million to the university.
Nearly four years post-signing, the state government has not disbursed any funds for this purpose.
He expressed concern that the lack of payment for the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) over the past five years has forced staff to endure increased workloads under challenging working conditions.
Furthermore, Dr. Jauro pointed out that despite Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya's enactment of the N30,000 minimum wage in 2020, the university has not implemented this change, leaving employees reliant on a salary structure from 2012.
He also mentioned ongoing issues, including the non-payment of promotion arrears for four years and the failure to apply the 35 percent and 25 percent wage awards for academic staff.
The union indicated that the government's inability to fulfill the MoA has compelled them to initiate an indefinite strike.
Dr. Jauro urged students and parents to understand their situation and to encourage the government to take necessary actions.
This marks the first internal strike by academic staff at GSU in its 20-year history.
In an attempt to prevent the strike, the state government had recently approved N265 million for the payment of promotion arrears; however, Dr. Jauro noted that they have yet to receive these funds, having only learned of the approval through media reports.