ASUU, FG To Meet Wednesday Over Strike Threat

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government are set to meet on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, to discuss the looming nationwide strike threatened by the union.

ASUU’s Vice President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, confirmed the meeting after a closed-door discussion with representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, led by Prof. Tahir Mamman in Abuja.

“The meeting is over; committees were set up to resolve the IPPIS/EAA and salary areas stuff. The committee is to meet 11th next week,” Piwuna said.

Recall that public university lecturers threatened to go on a nationwide strike over the Federal Government’s failure to honour the 2009 renegotiated agreement.

The decision was reached at ASUU’s national executive council meeting which took place at the University of Ibadan on August 19, 2024,

ASUU’s demands include improvements in welfare and university funding and ending the proliferation of universities in the country.

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Reacting to the planned nationwide strike, the Minister of Education, stated 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 ASUU and other organisations and their grievance was being looked into.

“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. And virtually every government has had its fair share of ASUU strikes. 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.

He appealed to the Union to be considerate and open-minded in their approach at the negotiation table so that the interests of all parties would be well represented.