The Federal Ministry of Education has established a 31-member committee to renegotiate the terms of the agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
This step is aimed at preventing any disruption to the academic calendar of Nigerian universities, following ASUU’s recent threat to embark on another strike.
According to information gathered by our correspondent, the committee is scheduled for inauguration on Wednesday. The government’s efforts to address the union’s concerns are part of a broader strategy to avoid the strike.
In an interview with journalists in Abuja, the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, stated, “The government has already started taking action, and I am confident that ASUU will not proceed with its strike because several developments are currently underway. The 31-member renegotiation committee has been set up, and its inauguration is scheduled for next Wednesday.
“ASUU had recently given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve lingering issues or face a new round of industrial action. Among the union’s key demands is the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the draft agreement formulated by the Nimi Briggs Committee in 2021. They are also demanding the release of withheld salaries, which were a result of the 2022 strike action.
Other issues raised by ASUU include the payment of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments, all of which have been affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The union is also asking for the release of outstanding third-party deductions, including check-off dues and cooperative contributions.Additionally, ASUU is demanding increased funding for the revitalization of public universities, which was partly included in the 2023 Federal Government budget, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, also partially reflected in the same budget.
In a statement issued last Wednesday, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed deep frustration with the government’s perceived lack of commitment and what the union views as delay tactics. He warned that these actions were pushing the public university system closer to a crisis.
“Given the circumstances, ASUU has resolved to grant the Nigerian Government an additional 14 days, on top of the previous 21 days, starting from Monday, September 23, 2024.
During this time, all outstanding issues must be addressed to the satisfaction of our union members.
The union should not be held responsible for any industrial conflict that may arise from the government’s failure to take advantage of this opportunity to resolve the looming crisis,” stated the ASUU President.
