BREAKING: ASUU, Fed Govt Meeting Postponed Until September

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have postponed their next meeting to September 6, 2024. This was confirmed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, following a meeting with the union’s leadership on Wednesday at the Federal Ministry of Education.

The meeting follows resolutions from ASUU’s national executive council gathering at the University of Ibadan on August 19, 2024, where public university lecturers threatened a nationwide strike over the government’s failure to honor the 2009 renegotiated agreement.

ASUU’s demands include better welfare for lecturers, increased funding for universities, and a halt to the proliferation of new universities across the country.

In response to ASUU’s ultimatum, Prof. Mamman acknowledged that many of the issues raised by the union date back to as early as 1981. He stated that the government is addressing the grievances, noting that the delay in implementing some resolutions, such as the union’s exit from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), was due to bureaucratic processes.

“Most of the issues raised by ASUU are being addressed. For example, the President has resolved the matter of the union’s exit from IPPIS, but bureaucratic delays have slowed implementation. By the time we meet on Monday, we expect to discuss and resolve some of these issues,” Mamman said.

He further highlighted that every administration since 1981 has dealt with ASUU strikes, but emphasized that the current government is committed to finding a lasting solution, as promised during the President’s campaign.

Prof. Mamman also urged ASUU to approach the upcoming negotiations with an open mind, stressing the importance of ensuring that the interests of all parties are fairly represented.