The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Shave arranged a follow-up meeting on September 6, 2024.
Prof. Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education, made the announcement at the conclusion of a meeting with union leadership on Wednesday at the Federal Ministry of Education.
Following resolutions passed at the union’s national executive council meeting on August 19, 2024, at the University of Ibadan, public university lecturers planned a nationwide strike in protest of the Federal Government’s inability to follow the 2009 renegotiated agreement.
ASUU’s demands include improved welfare and university finance, as well as a halt to the widespread growth of universities.
In response to ASUU’s ultimatum, Minister of Education Tahir Mamman stated that the majority of the points of conflict date back to 1981.
He, however, stated that letters of invitation had been sent to the leadership of the Union and other organisations and that their dissatisfaction was being addressed:
“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 (IPPIS) 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 all governments have had their fair share of ASUU strikes. But the President made a commitment during the campaign that a permanent solution would be provided this time, and he has shown that in his steps and actions,” he said.
The Minister also urged ASUU to be sensitive and open-minded at the negotiating table so that all sides’ interests may be appropriately reflected.
