The Federal Government, on Sunday, warned that the industrial action commencing today (Monday) would trigger the implementation of the no-work-no-pay rule.
Reacting, Ogi described the government’s position as “unreasonable and insensitive,” urging President Bola Tinubu to stop treating academics “like Almajiris.”
He blamed some of the administration’s unfriendly policies on poor advice, saying such an approach “disregards the root causes of industrial action and undermines the legitimate grievances of lecturers who are demanding—not begging for—their rightful entitlements.”
According to him, “Policies that humiliate intellectuals and reduce professionals to a state of dependence akin to almajiri reflect a profound misunderstanding of governance and labour relations. Justice, not coercion, should define the government’s response.”
He further warned that using “failed and outdated approaches” to resolve labour issues would only widen the rift between the government and academia.
Meanwhile, ASUU has declared a total and comprehensive two-week warning strike beginning today, October 13, to demand the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of withheld salaries, and revitalisation of public universities.
The union is also demanding the cessation of victimisation of lecturers in LASU, FUTO, and Prince Abubakar Audu University, payment of promotion arrears, and release of withheld cooperative and union dues.
Though the Federal Government held talks with ASUU last week, reports indicate that the union rejected the proposal presented, insisting it did not address their demands.
