Strike: Nigerian Government and ASUU Establish Committee to Address Demands

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) held a crucial meeting on Wednesday to prevent another strike in the country’s universities.

ASUU had issued a 21-day strike notice to the federal government on August 19, citing several unresolved demands.

Among ASUU’s demands are a thorough overhaul of the university system, which includes better infrastructure, greater academic freedom, and a more sustainable funding model.

Other key demands include the release of revitalization funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, payment of earned allowances for university lecturers, and the implementation of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

Following the meeting on Wednesday, both parties agreed to form a sub-committee to review ASUU’s demands, with the government committing to finding lasting solutions to the ongoing crisis.

The meeting, which lasted about two and a half hours, was convened by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and included the leadership of ASUU, led by its President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke.

Briefing journalists after the closed-door meeting, the Minister of Education announced that both parties would reconvene on September 6.He also stated that a sub-committee had been established to review the union’s demands and address all unresolved issues.

ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke expressed optimism that all outstanding issues would be resolved before the next meeting on September 6.

“We have discussed all the issues and reviewed them. We have given the government until the next meeting to address these concerns. We believe that resolving these issues will be in the best interest of the Nigerian child,” Osodeke said.