Colleges of Education Threaten Strike over Unpaid Funds, Blows Hot At FG

Suggestively, what seems to be inspired by the month-long strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of University, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) is spoiling for war over alleged unnecessary recalcitrance of the Federal Government to pay N15 billion revitalisation funds.

Smart Olugbeko, National President of COEASU in a statement on Tuesday had noted that, the government is testing its patience by reneging on meeting demands raised by the union all of which would strongly improve teacher education in Nigeria.

He threatened that the Union will in the next few weeks call a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to take necessary actions as permissible by the Trade Union Act if the government fails to do the needful.

Stating the grievances of the Union, Olugbeko said, ”in its characteristic disposition to peaceful resolution of issues, COEASU has between August and December 2021 continuously met with the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, Directors, and other officials of government, who have roles in resolving the lingering issues between the Union and the government many times”.

He said the issues of Renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement, the crises being created by the imposition of IPPIS and the release of the N15 billion Revitalisation Fund are critical to the development of Colleges of Education in Nigeria and the Union has put these among others in the front burner for government to quickly resolve them.

”As critical as these issues are, the Federal government has been lackadaisical in resolving them,” he said.