The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said the federal government (FG) has up to September 6th to address the demands of lecturers in the country. This is coming after a closed door meeting between ASUU and the FG on Wednesday.
At the end of a meeting by both parties on Wednesday in Abuja, a sub-committee was set up to review ASUU’s demands while the government promised to ensure lasting solutions to the crisis. Both parties also agreed to reconvene on September 6.
The meeting which lasted for about two and half hours was at the instance of the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman and had in attendance the leadership of ASUU led by its National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke.
Recall that ASUU had on August 19 at the end of its NEC meeting held at the University of Ibadan (UI), issued a 21-day strike notice to the federal government over some unmet demands.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the closed door meeting ASUU President expressed hope that all issues would have been resolved before the September 6 meeting.
“We have met to discuss all the issues and review them. We have given government between now and the next meeting to see what they have to do. We believe in the interest of the Nigerian child and we will be protecting their interest if the issues are resolved amicably,” Prof. Osodeke said.
Also briefing newsmen at the end of the closed door meeting, the Minister of Education confirmed that both parties agreed to reconvene on September 6th, adding that a compromise was reached during the meeting with a view to avert the strike notice issued by the union.
Mamman said a sub-committee had been set up to review the demands of the union, and ensure that all grey areas are ironed out and resolved.
TNG reports the strike notice by ASUU is expected to elapse on September 9, three days after the rescheduled meeting.
In addressing the demand of the union, the Minister, earlier today, constituted an implementation monitoring committee of NEEDS Assessment intervention fund for Nigerian public universities
ASUU is seeking a comprehensive overhaul of the university system, including improved infrastructure, enhanced academic freedom, and a more sustainable funding model.
Other demands of the union, included, the release of revitalisation funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, and release of earned allowances for university lecturers. Others are deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).