FG, ASUU talks adjourned until September 6

By Testimony Olalekan

The meeting between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been adjourned to September 6, 2024.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced this on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at the end of a meeting with the union leadership at the Federal Ministry of Education.

The meeting was intended to address ASUU’s demands, including improvements in welfare, university funding, and halting the expansion of universities nationwide.

According to ASUU, the government’s failure to honor the 2009 renegotiated agreement led to university lecturers threatening to embark on a nationwide strike, despite resolutions reached at ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting at the University of Ibadan on August 19, 2024.

In response to ASUU’s insistence, Prof. Mamman acknowledged that most of the issues of dissent date back to 1981. However, he assured that the grievances were being addressed, with letters of invitation sent to the union leadership and other organizations.

In his words, “Most of ASUU’s demands started in 1981, and virtually all governments have faced 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 demonstrated that through his actions.”

The Minister urged ASUU to be considerate and open-minded in their approach at the negotiation table so that the interests of all parties would be properly represented.

He further added, “Most of the issues raised by ASUU are being attended to. For instance, the issue of exiting the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) has already been resolved by the president.

“Bureaucracy is the reason for the delay in implementing that directive. But by the time we meet on Monday, some of these issues will be discussed and resolved.”