Abia State University Urges ASUU to Abandon Planned Strike Amid Salary Dispute
The management of Abia State University, Uturu, has called on members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reconsider their threatened industrial action over 11 months of salary arrears. The plea comes as tensions rise between the administration and lecturers.
Mary Nwaeze 
In a bid to avert a looming academic crisis, the management of Abia State University, Uturu, has called on members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reconsider their threatened industrial action over 11 months of salary arrears. The university's plea comes as tensions rise between the administration and lecturers.
In a press release signed by the Registrar, Acho Elendu, the university emphasized that going on strike would adversely impact the current academic calendar, urging ASUU members to prioritize dialogue over industrial action. The university management asserted that it is not in arrears to ASUU members and has consistently met salary obligations since assuming office.
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According to Elendu, Abia State University is "technically not owing any staff salaries," acknowledging that the present management inherited 10 months of salary arrears from the previous administration. The university claims to have cleared five months of the inherited arrears and expressed commitment to settling the outstanding amounts.
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The management accused ASUU members of disregarding advice by participating in the 2022 8-month strike, asserting that their involvement disrupted the planned salary arrears clearance. Despite the university's appeal for dialogue, a lecturer identified as Bro Kalu argued that the administration should prioritize settling the salary arrears rather than engaging in a blame game.
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As the standoff continues, the university community awaits further developments, hoping for an amicable resolution that considers the interests of both educators and students. The potential strike threatens to disrupt the academic activities of Abia State University, raising concerns about the impact on students and the overall stability of the institution.
