The University of Abuja branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced an indefinite strike action, citing grievances over the appointment process for the institution’s new Vice-Chancellor (VC).
The decision to embark on the strike was announced on Thursday following a congress held at the university’s Permanent Site.
Members of the UniAbuja ASUU expressed discontent with the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’allah, and the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, regarding the procedures for the appointment of Na’Allah’s successor.
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Tensions escalated after an advertorial appeared in a national daily on March 15, 2024, seeking applications for the position of Vice-Chancellor.
ASUU members promptly rejected the advertisement, labeling it as “illegal” and asserting that it did not originate from the governing council.
Chairman of the UniAbuja ASUU, Sylvanus Ugoh, highlighted the legal framework governing the appointment process, citing the Universities Miscellaneous Provision Act of 1993 as amended in 2003 and 2012.
According to Ugoh, only the governing council is empowered to advertise the vacancy for the VC position when it becomes available.
“The university administration placed an advert on the vacancy of the post of a Vice-Chancellor on Friday, 15th March 2024,” Ugoh emphasized, reaffirming ASUU’s stance on the matter.
The dispute underscores longstanding tensions between university administrations and academic staff regarding institutional governance and decision-making processes.
With the commencement of the indefinite strike, the University of Abuja faces disruptions to academic activities until a resolution is reached between ASUU and university authorities.
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