The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced a conditional suspension of its nationwide strike three-month old strike, with effect from midnight Thursday. The move comes after a series of meetings between top government officials and ASUU members. ASUU President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, announced the suspension in Abuja after a two-hour closed door meeting with a government delegation, led by Labor Minister, Senator Chris Ngige. ASUU has now directed its members to return to classrooms with immediate effect.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ASUU had embarked on strike on November 4, 2018 over its demands for revitalization of universities, academic earned allowances, issuance of Universities Pension Management Company and other issues.
According to the ASUU president, after the government tabled concrete proposals to address all outstanding issues in the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the 2017 Memorandum of Action (MoA), the NEC of ASUU resolved to suspend the strike.
“The strike is suspended conditionally with effect from 12.01 a.m on Friday, February 8. “However, should Government fail to fulfil its part of the agreement as reflected in the 2019 Memorandum of Action, ASUU shall resume its suspended strike as the union deems it necessary,” he said.
In his address, Minister Ngige said eight areas of disagreements were discussed and resolved by the two parties. According to the minister, we have dealt with all the eight contending issues and some of them have been implemented.
“ASUU has license for the Universities Pension Management Company on January 28, 2018. “On the issue of salary shortfall in the universities, the Federal Government has released N16billion, out of which N15.384billion is for universities, while the rest is for other tertiary institutions. The Vice-Chancellors have acknowledged the receipt of the funds. We also have the issue of a committee to liaise with state government-owned universities, ASUU and the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education. That committee was inaugurated two weeks ago. The visitation panel has been constituted and will commence work on March 2, 2019.
“On the issue of earned allowances, the Federal Government has released N20billion for the payment to all categories of university staff. For the earned academic allowance, the Federal Government has released N25billion and for the revitalization fund, a total of N25billion will be released in the period between April and May 2019. The Federal Government will also resume full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into in 2019, ” he said. The Minister also commended ASUU for its patience and understanding.
ASUU President Biodun Ogunyemi: announces end of strike
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