On Wednesday, the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) convened a crucial meeting aimed at averting a potential industrial action by the union. The meeting, held at the office of the Minister of Education in Abuja, commenced at 4:30 p.m. and concluded around 6:40 p.m.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, emphasized the necessity of the meeting, noting that the current administration had been in office for a year without addressing the pressing issues within the university system. Both parties expressed optimism that with the initiation of negotiations, all outstanding issues could be amicably resolved.
The union had previously threatened to go on strike over various unresolved issues. After the meeting with Education Minister Tahir Mamman, Prof. Osodeke stated that the negotiation process had begun, and he hoped the minister would follow up on the agreed points. Committees were established to examine the ten demands ASUU outlined in a letter to the Federal Government on Monday, with a follow-up meeting scheduled in two weeks.
“We have not decided on anything yet but have created committees to look into our demands,” Osodeke explained. “We will meet again in two weeks to review the progress. What is important is that we have started the process, and our prayer is that we resolve it for the interest of our young men and the nation.”
Minister of Education Tahir Mamman assured that consultations would begin immediately to address the challenges within the university system. “We’ve had a very productive meeting and discussed all ongoing issues. We have a consensus on the way forward and will continue consultations to gather all necessary information, even from other ministries,” he said.
ASUU had issued a three-week ultimatum to the Federal Government over outstanding demands. In a letter dated June 20, 2024, ASUU highlighted that Nigerian academics were forced to strike on February 14, 2022, due to the government’s failure to address their concerns. The strike, which lasted until October of the same year, was triggered by the government’s refusal to implement the Memorandum of Action of December 2020.
The union’s pending demands include completing the renegotiation of the FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s 2021 draft, releasing withheld salaries from the 2022 strike, paying unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical and part-time appointments, releasing outstanding third-party deductions, and funding the revitalization of public universities.
Other demands involve resolving issues with Earned Academic Allowances, addressing the proliferation of universities, implementing visitation panel reports, reinstating dissolved governing councils, and adopting the University Transparency and Accountability Solution over the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
ASUU members staged nationwide protests on Tuesday, warning of an impending strike if the government failed to act on agreements. At Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, lecturers carried placards with messages such as “IPPIS is a scam” and “FG give our children proper education,” demanding immediate government action. Prof. Anthony Odiwe, OAU branch chairman, described the partial release of salaries as a “Greek gift,” noting that third-party deductions were not remitted appropriately.
Despite their willingness to negotiate, ASUU members warned of industrial unrest unless the Federal Government returns to the negotiating table to resolve the outstanding issues.
