*The Academic Staff Union of Universities urges the Federal Government to show transparency, ‘clearly state its position on the University Transparency and Accountability Solution payroll system, and state its position on the Union’s agreement with the panel

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

As the University lecturers’聽 industrial action continues, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has outlined steps the government must take to end its six-month-long strike.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, President of ASUU, stated this while featuring on a Channels TV, said that the Federal Government must exhibit transparency.

Osodeke noted: 鈥淕overnment should tell us and Nigerians 鈥� the money that has been alleged to have been approved for revitalisation 鈥� how much is it and where is it lodged? When will it be released?鈥�

The ASUU President also said the government must clearly state its position on the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), a payroll system, which ASUU wants in lieu of the controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

He further stated: 鈥淭hree, have they accepted the agreement we reached with their panel? They should come and tell us this, and not go to the press.”

The ASUU President accused the Federal Government of appealing to sensibilities rather than solving the issues raised by the union.

Prof. Osodeke said: 鈥淪trike is a symptom of a problem.

鈥淎ny day you sort out that problem, you will not have strike.鈥�

Recall that ASUU has been on strike since February 14, 2022.

The academic union, this Monday declared a 鈥渢otal and indefinite鈥� extension of its industrial action.

ASUU noted that the government had failed to satisfactorily meets its demands.

The academics are seeking improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities and academic autonomy among other demands.

One bone of contention for the academics is the non-payment of university revitalisation funds, which amounts to about N1.1 trillion.

However, the Federal Government has said it doesn鈥檛 have the money to pay such an amount, citing low oil prices.

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