The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have reached a consensus on a roadmap to address the longstanding grievances of university lecturers.
The breakthrough came after a crucial meeting at the Federal Ministry of Education’s headquarters, led by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, alongside ASUU’s President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke.
The high-stakes dialogue, held behind closed doors, was attended by key figures including the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, and the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), along with former ASUU Presidents Dr. Abdullahi Sule-Kano, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, and Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi.
This meeting was pivotal as it aimed to avert an impending indefinite strike by ASUU, which was looming following a 21-day notice issued to the government. After three hours of intensive deliberations, both parties agreed to reconvene on September 6th, 2024, to assess the progress made on the contentious issues.
At the core of the discussions were critical issues such as the revitalization fund for public universities, the settlement of outstanding earned academic allowances, and the release of withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and third-party deductions for ASUU members. The dialogue also tackled concerns like illegal recruitments, the proliferation of public universities, and the autonomy of universities vis-à-vis the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the new Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
In a post-meeting briefing, Prof. Tahir Mamman expressed optimism, describing the talks as “positive and productive.” He emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving the issues at hand to prevent any disruption in the academic environment.
ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke reiterated the Union’s hope for a swift resolution, urging the government to fulfill its obligations in the interest of students and the nation. As both parties prepare for the next meeting, there remains a cautious optimism that the groundwork laid will lead to enduring peace and stability in Nigeria’s higher education sector.