An end to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) might be in the offing as the federal government is reportedly set to resume talks with the leadership of the union.
ASUU had in March declared an indefinite strike, citing the federal government’s failure to meet its demands.
The industrial action was on the back of disagreement with the government over issues on revitalization of universities and earned academic allowance.
Other issues raised by the union had included the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as well as funding of universities.
But according to THISDAY, the federal government has resolved to write a letter to the union’s leadership to continue negotiations before the end of the week.
The media outlet quoted a source as saying that the government has also accepted ASUU’s earlier request for a physical meeting — which it earlier opposed — following lockdown relaxation.
The source, however, said the meeting would only hold if ASUU agrees to suspend its four-month-old strike.
“The move is meant to solicit the cooperation of the university lecturers in the efforts to put necessary mechanism in place for the reopening of tertiary institutions after months of closure due to COVID-19 pandemic,” the source said.
“The federal government will write to request that ASUU should suspend its industrial action to enable talks to commence on their grievances. The suspension of the strike is also important to get the university teachers involved in the preparations for the reopening of the institutions.”
The source added that the ministry of labour and employment has commenced consultation with other ministries and stakeholders to agree on a fixed date to resume talks between the two parties.
TheCable Lifestyle could not reach Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU president, for his reaction on Wednesday.
But when contacted, Moyosore Ajao, chairman of UNILORIN’s ASUU, said the union has not been briefed about the development.
He added that they are ready for negotiations if invited by the federal government.
“There is no information as regarding that yet for now. We read it on the newspaper just like you (addressing our reporter) did. There is nothing on ground to suggest that. However, when government is ready and we are invited, we will honour them,” he told TheCable Lifestyle.
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Pls assu see reason with the FG and help us, we have over stay at home now that is time for schools to resume.
Thanks.
I should be gratiful if schools is resume because I so tired to stay at home
How can government claim publicly that they are making positive move to stop the strike but secretly the same government is stopping their salaries?
FG has stopped the salaries of the lecturers and many of them have not got salaries since February or March.
ASSU should be ready as they can if invited and should agree pls,we are tired of home,being house help for long,lol..mad oooo
Please Assus let this agreement should be end with FG we are tired 4 staying at home
I wish all the stake holders in Nigeria,especially those who have concerned with Education will intervene into the matter of the strike of ASUU,to bring its end.
Am looking forward to school opening and so tried of staying at home I just pray that God will help FG and assu to come to conclusion in no distance time
Hope the move will be positive one and both parties will come to an understanding. Because I don’t see reasons why FG shouldn’t adhere to ASSU own view after all they are the ones on duty. No one would enjoy working and earning little. Sometimes salary being delayed.
If FG won’t consider anything, they should pls consider students who are wasting their time at home doing nothing.
FG is talking about asuu as if it is the only union on campus. Other unions have issues with the FG regarding their salaries. They are being short paid & this has been brought to the notice of govt but nothing has been done to address this. Once they ask schools to resume those ones too will embark on strike. Why is govt deceiving itself as if all is well? Address all issues on ground ahead of resumption so that lost ground can be recovered partially.
Students saying ASUU should see reason and suspend the strike because they have over stayed at home are very insensitive. How can you explain that after earning a Science Ph.D with upto 2 Million and get employed to work in Nigerian University as a Lecturer, Ur salary will start with N130,000 a month equivalent to N4,300 a day. This amount is far below about N7,000 a bus driver earns after working a day.
Are the folks commenting here really university students? Not one correct sentence from any of them. This is exactly the reason ASUU should continue the strike. The university system is in total decay. The infrastructure is poor and most of the students are not qualified to be there. There must be a complete overhaul of the system. No more paying of lip service by the government as has always been the case.
You took those words from me. They can’t even spell ASUU properly.
Ade, if your union has a case with FG, go ahead and sort it out and stop comparing it with ASUU. Do you have a case with ASUU?
I think its not the matter of negotiations. The FG Must do the MOA as reached before.. As well as Universities Autonomy. And then Cancell the IPPIS. Shi kenan.