ASUU national strike paralyses Ogun universities as TASUED, FUNAAB, and OOU lecturers join the two-week nationwide walkout over unmet demands

ASUU national strike has forced a total shutdown of academic activities across three major Ogun State universities — Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye — as lecturers comply with the directive from the national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

Also read: ASUU-FUOYE Declares Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Salaries

The Chairman of ASUU at TASUED, Adewale Ositoye, confirmed that academic staff in the institution have withdrawn their services in line with the national body’s order for a two-week warning strike, which began on Monday, October 13.

Ositoye stated that the decision was a collective one, stressing that lecturers would remain on strike until the expiration of the 14-day period or further directives from the national leadership.

“There is nothing else to say other than to go on the warning strike as agreed by the national ASUU. The reasons for this action were clearly stated by our national leaders during the press conference,” he said.

Similarly, ASUU Chairman at FUNAAB, Dr Ola Oyedele, confirmed that his members had joined the strike. “I can only confirm that my colleagues in the university have joined the national strike. Any further enquiries should be directed to the national body,” he noted.

At Olabisi Onabanjo University, a senior ASUU executive who preferred anonymity said the institution had no choice but to obey the directive.

“This is a national strike. We all know what the problems are. The lecturers in OOU are not different; we are all not happy with the situation,” the source added.

Students of FUNAAB, however, expressed frustration over the latest disruption. One of them, Benjamin Okoli, lamented that the recurring industrial actions prolong their studies unnecessarily.

“Strikes usually disrupt the smooth running of the academic calendar. A four-year course could end up lasting five years or more,” Okoli said.

Another student, Temiloluwa Timothy, appealed to both ASUU and the Federal Government to resolve their disagreements amicably to avoid further setbacks.

The ASUU national strike was declared on Sunday by the union’s president, Chris Piwuna, at a press briefing in Abuja. He said the two-week total and comprehensive strike followed the Federal Government’s failure to fulfil key agreements reached with the union.

“It goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on the ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike,” Piwuna stated.

He directed all ASUU branches nationwide to withdraw their services effective from midnight on Monday, October 13, emphasising that the strike would be “total and comprehensive” until further notice.

Also read: ASUU Strike Warning Escalates over Unresolved University Issues

The industrial action, which is expected to last 14 days, has once again thrown the country’s public universities into uncertainty, disrupting academic schedules and leaving thousands of students stranded.