The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) held a productive meeting on Wednesday, yielding a commitment to address and resolve all outstanding issues, thereby averting a potential strike.
A closed-door meeting between the Federal Government and ASUU was held at the Ministry of Education’s headquarters in Abuja, starting at 4:30 pm and extending beyond two hours.
The meeting featured a high-powered delegation, including Education Ministers Professor Tahir Mamman and Dr. Yusuf Sununu, top Federal Government officials, and ASUU President Professor Emmanuel Osodeke.
Following the meeting, Prof. Osodeke expressed optimism, stating that negotiations had begun and assignments had been delegated to address outstanding matters. He emphasized the importance of the government following through on agreed-upon actions to benefit students and the nation at large.
Addressing concerns raised by ASUU’s recent ultimatum, Osodeke assured that detailed outcomes would be relayed to union members.
He underscored the significance of initiating dialogue after a year-long hiatus, outlining plans for setting deadlines and subsequent meetings to monitor progress.
Minister Mamman echoed Osodeke’s sentiments, describing the meeting as productive. He highlighted ongoing consultations to tackle systemic challenges inherited by the ministry, emphasizing the need for cross-ministerial collaboration to achieve sustainable solutions.
The agreement comes following ASUU’s threat of a nationwide strike due to the government’s failure to meet prior demands, including issues like removal from IPPIS, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, and the settlement of Earned Academic Allowances and outstanding salaries.
Going forward, both parties have pledged to sustain a collaborative dialogue, focusing on a comprehensive approach to tackling the complex educational challenges facing Nigeria.
This breakthrough represents a significant milestone in the quest to normalize university activities and safeguard the well-being of both students and educators, paving the way for a more stable and productive academic environment in Nigeria.
