The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU) have concluded negotiations, with strong
indications that the on-going strike embarked upon by the
union since December 4, 2011 may be called off soon.
This was the outcome of a meeting coordinated by the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius
Anyim, with executive members of the union in Abuja.
It would be recalled that among the issues ASUU tabled
before the Federal Government was the agreement both
parties entered into in 2009. The agreement revolved
around improvement in universities funding, review of the
process of appointing Vice Chancellors, review of the
retirement age of lecturers to 70 years, among others.
It was also gathered that based on this the Senate last
week extended the retirement age of professors in Nigerian
universities from 65 to 70.
Meanwhile, the President of ASUU, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie,
who declined comments on the fresh term of agreement
with the Federal Government, said such information would be
tabled before the National Executive Council (NEC) of the
union before a definite decision would be taken concerning
the strike.
Awuzie gave this indication, shortly after the meeting which
lasted almost four hours, saying that the meeting was
fruitful and that the union’s NEC would be convened soonest
to decide on the next line of action for the union.
He was, however, not specific on the actual date ASUU’s
NEC would meet to decide on the strike.
He said: “We have discussed, we have looked at the issues
government has made its offer and we have to take it to our
principal, I will do everything possible to brief my principal
soonest.
“Government placed their card on the table and I have to
take it to my principal, they have done their best which is
what they believe is available by government, we are all
Nigerians, we did not go on strike just to destroy the system,
so we have listened to them, they have made their offer,
they have told us why they took certain decisions.
“We will take it to our principal, and of course you know this
is the first time we have been able to get this thing far
through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
interceding. So we are going to take it to our principal and I
want to assure you that we meet with our principal
soonest.”
Speaking to journalists, the Minister of Education, Prof.
Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, who was part of the deliberations, also
gave a hint to an early resolution of the impasse.
She said: “As mentioned by the President of ASUU, we have
just concluded our discussion with them, the series of
meetings we had and as he said they are going back to have
their NEC meeting and its only after that meeting that we
hear their outcome.
“We are very hopeful that the strike will be called off soon,
that’s one thing we saw after this meeting but as it stands
now, we cannot say whether they are calling it off
immediately, but we are very hopeful that they will call off
the strike which will depend on the outcome of their NEC
meeting.”
