FG, ASUU To Meet Monday Over Impending Strike

By Azeezat Olatunde and Babalola Abigael

The Federal Government is set to hold a meeting with the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) management on Monday, August 26, to discuss the union’s demands and prevent the impending strike.By Azeezat Olatunde and Babalola Abigael.

ASUU had previously issued a 21-day strike notice to the government, citing unresolved issues affecting Nigerian universities, including nonpayment of outstanding academic allowances, withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and continued illegal recruitment, among others.

The strike notice was announced on Sunday, August 18, by the union’s President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, at a press briefing held at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.

Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, had disclosed at a media briefing held in Abuja on Friday, August 23, that letters of invitation have been sent to major stakeholders of the union and other relevant organizations to address the union’s grievances and avoid another round of strikes.

Prof. Mamman clarified that most of the union’s concerns are long-standing, dating back to 1981, which has caused each government administration to face its own share of strikes.

However, the Minister of Education said these issues will be ironed out during the meeting scheduled for Monday.”

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

He also emphasized that the current administration is committed to finding a permanent solution to the union’s concerns and putting an end to the incessant strikes.