The University of Uyo branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, urging them to honor the 2009 renegotiated agreement or face potential strike action.

During a public sensitization protest on Wednesday, ASUU Chairperson, University of Uyo town campus, Prof. Opeyemi Olajide, recalled that in 2022, public universities experienced an eight-month strike over unresolved issues, returning to classrooms only out of respect for the rule of law.

Olajide lamented that two years later, the Federal Government still has not honored the agreement or addressed their demands. The union has reached out to relevant authorities to intervene, but there has been no positive outcome.

“If after two weeks nothing is done, the union will shut down universities and send students home,” Olajide warned. He emphasized that in 2022, ASUU went on strike for eight months because the Federal Government failed to address demands outlined in the renegotiated 2009 agreement.

ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Calabar Zone, Dr. Happiness Uduk, addressing protesters, revealed that the Federal Government still owed public university lecturers three and a half months’ salary. She urged the government to revive the public educational system, noting that public universities do not function as expected compared to private ones.

“Enough is enough!” Uduk declared, criticizing the government for neglecting public institutions while establishing private universities.

Former Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Aniekan Brown, added that the union has long advocated for “education for all” and called for salary increases, highlighting the disproportionate workload and high taxation rates faced by lecturers.