FG panel to renegotiate agreement with ASUU soon

The Federal Ministry of Education has inaugutated a 31-man panel to dialogue with the Academic Staff Union of Universities based on the agreement it has reached with the Federal Government.

The move became necessary to avert the planned distruption of academic activities of universities, based on a fresh strike threat issue by ASUU.

The Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, said, “The government has started working, and I am sure that ASUU won’t be embarking on a strike because a number of developments are ongoing. A 31-man renegotiation committee has been formed, and they will be inaugurated next Wednesday.”

Recall that the education body, ASUU issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government following various lingering issues.

Among other demands, ASUU is seeking the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021, as well as the release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike action.

Additionally, ASUU is demanding the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, as well as the payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.

The union is also seeking funding for the revitalization of public universities, partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, also partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.

Reacting to the planned ultimatum, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, in a statement on Wednesday decried government’s lack of commitment and delay tactics in addressing issues of union, adding that, such delay would fuel crisis in the public university system.

He said, “In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, September 23, 2024, during which all the lingering issues must be concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union. The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from the government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud,” the ASUU President said.