ASUU shuts down UniUyo campuses, halts Exams in Nationwide Protest against FG

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UYO – Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday shut down both campuses of the University of Uyo (UniUyo), Akwa Ibom State, as part of its nationwide protest against what it described as the federal government’s continued neglect and refusal to implement the renegotiated 2009 agreement.

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The protest disrupted all examinations scheduled to commence the same day, as lecturers mobilised in large numbers at the Town Campus, Annex, and Ikpa Road campuses of the institution.

Protesters carried placards with bold inscriptions such as “Our salaries are too poor,” “Pay us sustainable living wages,” “Treat lecturers with dignity”, “We are FG lecturers, not borrowers”, and “Government, please sign and implement our renegotiated agreement.”

Speaking at the main campus, Prof. Opeyemi Olajide, Chairperson of ASUU UniUyo, decried the poor treatment of lecturers by the government.

“Today, university lecturers are staging protest to let the world know how the Federal Government is treating us with disdain. Federal Government of Nigeria has decided to destroy the public university system as it did to public primary and secondary schools,” he lamented.

He further expressed anger over withheld wages and stagnant salaries.

“Federal government still withheld our salaries for three and half months after we have done the job. We have been on the same salary for 16 years. Federal government has refused to fund infrastructure in public universities. Look at where you are taking your exams, is it befitting?” he asked.

Addressing students who had arrived for their Computer-Based Test (CBT), Prof. Olajide declared:

“We are not happy about it. So there is no examination today, go home!”

He also warned that the union might embark on an indefinite strike if government fails to act

Adding his voice, Dr. Nwachukwu Anyim, former ASUU Chairperson of UniUyo branch, described the situation as gross injustice.

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“If you expect university lecturers to earn the same salary for over 15 years and you are still imagining reviewing salaries of political office holders, that is wickedness of the highest order, for those who are already earning humongous salaries? You are even thinking of reviewing it, that is wickedness!” he said.

Dr. Anyim lamented the hardship caused by withheld salaries and unremitted deductions.

“My salaries have been withheld, loans that I took, I’ve ended up paying, then they deducted salaries and the deductions are in someone’s pocket or bank account. That’s wickedness, yet we still go to class to teach our students.”

He added a stern reminder to politicians, saying:

“Those in power that maltreat us should know that power is transient. Where are the Ngiges of this world today?”

The protest, which crippled academic activities, signals the union’s mounting frustration, with ASUU warning that an indefinite strike may follow if urgent action is not taken.

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