The scheduled meeting between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities has been postponed from Monday to August 28.
A highly placed source inside ASUU’s National Executive Council told the mediaon Monday that “our meeting with the Federal Government will now take place on August 28.”
Following resolutions passed at the union’s National Executive Council meeting on August 19, 2024, at the University of Ibadan, public university lecturers have threatened to go on strike nationwide in protest of the Federal Government’s failure to implement the 2009 renegotiated agreement.
ASUU’s demands include improvements in varsity workers’ welfare, university funding, and halting the proliferation of universities across the country.
In response to the ASUU’s ultimatum, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, noted that most of the issues of contention dated as far back as 1981.
He, however, said letters of invitation had been sent to the leadership of the Union and other organisations and that their grievances were being attended to.
“Most of the issues raised by ASUU are being attended to. For instance, the issue of exit from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System has since been resolved by the President. Bureaucracy is the reason for the delay in the implementation of that directive. But by the time we meet on Monday, some of these issues will be discussed and resolved.
“Most of the demands of ASUU started in 1981. But the President made a commitment during the campaign that permanent solution would be provided this time, and he has shown that in his steps and actions,” he said.
The Minister also urged ASUU to be mindful of their conduct and approach negotiations with an open mind in order to adequately represent the interests of all parties.