The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will resume talks on September 6 to clarify some of the concerns of university lecturers.
Prof Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education, made the statement following a closed-door meeting with ASUU’s leadership, chaired by President Emmanuel Osodeke.
ASUU issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve concerns hindering university development.
Prof Osodeke issued the ultimatum during a news conference at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) in Abia State.
However, the minister expressed optimism that universities would not be shut down after yesterday’s discussion with university lecturers.
Prof Mamman told reporters that sub-committees have been set up to look into the issues and report progress by next week.
He said: “Hopefully, we have a very good window for the resolution of the issues. So, the task before us now is to work on those modalities and the processes and procedures we all agreed to study the problems.
“So we are coming back on September 6 to report back on the tasks we have set out to work towards resolution of the issues. It has been a very friendly meeting, with a very good understanding of where we are and what we want to achieve for the university sector.
Prof Osodeke expressed hope that the issues would be resolved before the next meeting.
On whether the union would press ahead with strike if no agreement was reached by September 6, the ASUU president said this would be decided by members.
“As a union, our leadership doesn’t decide for our members. Whatever we get by September 6 will be communicated to our members and they will decide on what to do next.
Some of the problems, according to ASUU, include the conclusion of the renegotiation of the FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the late Nimi Briggs Committee’s proposed Agreement of 2021. Release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salary due to the 2022 strike. Release of unpaid pay of employees on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments due to the use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS); Release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions; Funding for the revitalisation of public universities (partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget); and Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).
Others include expanding universities by federal and state governments, implementing visitation panel reports, and University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) in place of IPPIS.