By Aliyu Jalal
Nigeria’s education sector faces yet another crisis as the possibility of a strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) looms, threatening to disrupt academic activities across public universities.
The main reasons for the threat remain government’s failure to fulfill previous agreements, including the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, and the poor implementation of IPPIS, which has led to unpaid salaries for lecturers.
The Union has also accused the Federal Government’s sub-committee of delaying efforts to resolve the union’s grievances. It said it has given the government a 14-day ultimatum to address issues like the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, unpaid salaries for lecturers, and other unresolved matters related to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The Union also criticized the government for holding meetings solely to receive allowances without making tangible progress, and warned that failure to meet ASUU’s demands would result in another strike.
For more details, kindly check:
https://guardian.ng/news/asuu-accuses-fg-of-procrastination-in-strike-negotiations/
https://punchng.com/fg-raises-teams-to-avert-asuu-strike/
Commentary
As university education remains one of the most critical areas of national progress, it is crucial to address these issues with long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. First, the government must prioritize the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement to reflect current economic realities, especially given the depreciation of the naira. This requires a collaborative approach that includes transparent financial commitments and timelines for implementation.
Secondly, the IPPIS needs a complete overhaul, or it should be replaced with a more suitable payroll system, such as the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), as recommended by ASUU. A payroll system that truly accounts for the complexities of academic work, including sabbaticals and adjunct appointments, is necessary to avoid future conflicts.
Finally, the education sector must be prioritized in budgetary allocations. The current underfunding of public universities has resulted in poor infrastructure, insufficient learning materials, and an exodus of skilled lecturers. Without adequate funding, Nigerian universities will continue to lag behind, both in quality of education and in global rankings.
Immediate, transparent action from the government is necessary to prevent another industrial action and to build a more robust educational system that serves both the students and staff.