UNILAG debunks reports on suspension of ongoing ASUU strike

The University of Lagos branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reacted to reports that it has suspended the ongoing strike embarked upon by the national body.

In a statement signed by Dele Ashiru, the Branch Chairman of ASUU-UNILAG, the body reiterated its commitment to the demands of ASUU and decisions taken by the national leadership of the body.

It therefore vowed to continue with the strike until the national body said otherwise.

The statement said: “The attention of the leadership of ASUU-UNILAG has been drawn to a fake and dubious news purporting that ‘ASUU-UNILAG chapter gives up for the first time, votes for suspension of strike.’

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“This is to inform the general public that the strike in UNILAG is still in force and there is no threat to it whatsoever.

“ASUU-UNILAG is convinced that the strike action is a just and patriotic struggle to save the public university system in Nigeria from imminent collapse,” it added.

ASUU embarked on the strike on February 14th, 2022. It had then declared a four-week warning strike. But after a month, the lecturers extended it by eight weeks, saying the government needs more time to look at its demands.

Following the Federal Government and lecturers’ inability to reach a resolution, the union on May 9 further extended the strike by 12 weeks.

The university teachers are seeking improved welfare, the revitalisation of public universities, and academic autonomy among others. Several meetings between government representatives and ASUU have ended in deadlock. One such was held about two weeks ago with the Professor Nimi Briggs Committee at the National University Commission (NUC) in Abuja.