By Okeke Eunice
The Federal Ministry of Education has established a 31-member committee to revisit and renegotiate the agreement made between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
According to our correspondent’s findings, the committee will be officially inaugurated next Wednesday.
This action by the government is aimed at preventing a possible disruption of the university academic calendar in response to a new strike threat from ASUU.
In an interview with our correspondent in Abuja, the Director of Press for the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, stated, “The government has already taken action, and I believe ASUU will not go on strike, as several initiatives are in progress. A 31-member renegotiation committee has been established, and they will be inaugurated next Wednesday.”
ASUU recently gave the Federal Government a 14-day deadline to address various unresolved issues, warning that it would initiate a new round of industrial action if no resolution is reached.
ASUU is demanding, among other things, the finalization of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s 2021 Draft Agreement, and the release of salaries withheld during the 2022 strike.
ASUU is also calling for the payment of overdue salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct positions impacted by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, along with the settlement of unpaid third-party deductions like check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
The union is also requesting financial support for the revitalization of public universities, which is partially included in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, as well as the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, also partially reflected in the same budget.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed disappointment in a statement released last Wednesday, criticizing the government’s lack of commitment and use of delay tactics, which he said were contributing to the growing crisis in the public university system.
“In light of the above, ASUU has decided to grant the Nigerian Government an additional 14 days, on top of the previous 21 days, starting from Monday, September 23, 2024. During this time, all outstanding issues must be effectively resolved to satisfy the union’s members. The union should not be blamed for any industrial unrest that occurs due to the government’s failure to take advantage of the new opportunity presented by ASUU to prevent the impending crisis,” stated the ASUU President.