The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in the ongoing face-off between the union and the Federal Government.
The Nsukka Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Rapheal Amokaha made the call at a press conference held in Lokoja.
He accused the Federal Government of paying lip service to the payroll issues which have formed a major part of ASUU’s agitations.
Amokaha said the government is yet to demonstrate any meaningful seriousness in addressing the demands of the academics.
ASUU embarked on a four-week warning strike on February 14.
On March 14, the union extended the industrial action by another two months to allow the government meet all of 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.
But the Federal Government has said it doesn’t have the money to pay such an amount, citing low oil prices during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The agreement was reportedly struck in 2009.
Another is the issue of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The academics have proposed an alternative payroll system, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).