ASURI Launches Indefinite Strike Over Forced Retirements

The Academ Staff Union Research Institute (ASURI) has announced an indefinite strike to protest the forced retirement of senior research staff at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). The union criticized the management's decision to retire top researchers based on an eight-year tenure policy, which they argue violates the 2019 service conditions.

Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, the Secretary-General of ASURI, condemned the move as unacceptable and a betrayal of cooperative principles. The union expressed profound disappointment over the issuance of retirement letters, which they claim undermines the stability of high-caliber scientists and their families.

ASURI has initiated formal trade dispute processes and warned that picketing will commence without further notice. They emphasized that the situation could severely disrupt critical medical research and public health studies.

NIMR management defended their actions as compliant with federal government policies, asserting that they are following due process in the retirements.