The union counselled the Committee of Provosts of State Owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSON) to quit pandering to the public and take a cue from their colleagues in federal universities who successfully persuade the government to support public universities.
In a statement headlined "COPSON: Stoking the Blaze of Discord," the convener of ASUU Rapid Response, Professor Ade Adejumo, stated that the principle of collective bargaining is authorised by law and would be binding in contrast to COPSON's position.
ASUU is one, a thousand communiques, and threats from COPSON cannot splinter our ranks or weaken our steely commitment to see this struggle—or any other in the future—through to a successful conclusion, according to Adejumo.
He challenged the provosts to show evidence that they had increased the pay and benefits at their institutions, noting that they "are always willing to run to Abuja to receive money from TETFUND which was brought into existence by ASUU."
What use does a union serve if not to look out for the welfare of its members, he continued? Why, given they have always been represented in such discussions, is COPSON focused on the odd notion that centrally negotiated salary by ASUU with the government will not be binding on them? Why do they not claim that the rules and regulations of the major regulatory organisations, including as JAMB, NUC, and NYSC, do not apply to them?
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