ASUU has been on strike since February 14, 2022, after the Federal Government failed to meet some of its demands. A lot of meetings held between the academic union and the government have ended in deadlock as no progress was made on the matter.
ASUU’s demands include
1. the release of revitalization funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement,
2. release of earned allowances for university lecturers, and deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution platform for the payment of salaries and
3. allowances for university lecturers.
However, the protest beginning today is expected to hold at all state capitals while the mega rally would hold in Abuja on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. In a bid to avoid a security breach or attack on the participants by thugs, the police are set to deploy their operatives in all protest venues nationwide
Also, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps -NSCDC has readied its personnel to provide security to the protesters and Nigerians at protest grounds.
“We understand that at times like this, thugs would want to take advantage and launch their attacks. Among those, we will be deploying apart from the armed and unarmed personnel are men from our intelligence department” the agency’s spokesperson, Shola Odumosu said.
Previously, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige had warned the NLC and ASUU against the demonstration, saying he received a security report from the Department of State Services that the rally might be hijacked by hoodlums.
But the police have issued a warning to hoodlums that might be planning to attack protesters or hijack the protests.
Police commissioners across the country have assured citizens that their officers were ready to protect protesters and make sure they are not harassed by hoodlums.
