FUOYE Management Blames SSANU, NASU Strike for Student's Death
The management of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), has attributed the death of an asthmatic student to restricted access to medical care during the ongoing strike by the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The ongoing strike by the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), has resulted in the tragic death of an asthmatic student due to restricted access to medical care, according to the university's management.
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In a press conference held in Oye Ekiti on Tuesday, FUOYE's management, led by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Tajudeen Opoola, asserted that the student's inability to receive prompt medical attention was a consequence of the university being locked down by the striking unions.
Opoola accused SSANU of complicity in shutting down FUOYE's operations, contrasting the situation with other universities where activities continued uninterrupted. He cautioned against allowing the strike to escalate into lawlessness and emphasized the university's commitment to upholding its autonomy.
Responding to the allegations, SSANU FUOYE Chapter Chairman, Oluwaseun Faleye, accused the Vice Chancellor, Prof Sunday Fasina, of intimidation tactics for refusing to grant concessions to the union. Faleye highlighted the union's compliance with the national directive for the seven-day strike and rejected the management's requests for exemptions from strike action.
The strike, declared by the national leadership of SSANU and NASU, commenced following the Federal Government's decision to exclude them from salary payments that were disbursed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in February. The withheld salaries stemmed from a 'No Work, No Pay' policy implemented after strikes in 2022 during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Despite appeals from the Federal Government for SSANU and NASU to end the strike and engage in further negotiations, tensions persist between the university management and the striking unions.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders closely monitor developments, hoping for a swift resolution that prioritizes the welfare of students and addresses the grievances of all parties involved.
