*Workers worse hit by worsening economic situation
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
In the spirit of this year’s Workers Day celebration, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) today, called on President Bola Tinubu and state governors in Nigeria country to prioritize welfare and working conditions of Nigerian workers
The union in a statement by the Chairman, ASUU University of Ibadan Chapter, Professor Ayoola Akinwole to mark this year’s May Day celebration.
Prof Akinwole said the socio-economic situation in Nigeria, the post fuel subsidy removal backlash, and current fuel scarcity affect the working class and their families adversely.
The ASUU chairman stressed that Nigerian workers continue to contribute to the development of Nigeria despite being undervalued and underpaid by the various levels of governments, including private organisations.
“Nigerians, particularly the working class, are celebrating 2024 workers’ day experiencing fuel scarcity. Workers who are poorly paid will still have to pay hiked transportation fare”, he said.
The ASUU Chairman added, “The inflation in Nigeria is killing, and many are getting malnourished as the cost of food items have skyrocketed”
” 2024 worker’s day is a reminder to the unfulfilled promises of the federal and state governments on improving the poor wages and working conditions of the Nigerian workers.”
Professor Akinwole maintained that it is inconceivable that those in government exploit their states’ resources while some even loot for their unborn children while workers are left pauperised.
Lauding the Nigerian security forces for their efforts to make Nigeria safer, Prof Akinwole called on President Tinubu to ensure special welfare package for families of those who have lost their lives while defending Nigeria.
” Like other sectors such as education, Professor Akinwole said that the welfare of security agencies should be paramount to the president, who is the commander in chief of Nigerian Armed Forces”.
Tasking President Tinubu to conclude agreements with ASUU and improve the working conditions for the intellectual community in Nigeria, the ASUU Chairman said, ” This, if done, will reduce the latest trend where brilliant Nigerians are running away from taking lecturing jobs in Nigerian universities”.
” If this continues, those Nigeria needs to develop the education sector, which will leave the country while those without the requisite skills will gain employment with little to offer.”
The ASUU Chairman asked the president to address the drift and jointly approve a living wage and improved working conditions for lecturers in public universities in Nigeria noting that Nigeria lecturers who are yet to run to Europe or countries in the global North are the last set of patriots who deserves special salaries and better working conditions.
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