ASUU Strike Update: Federal Government & ASUU Reached Agreement on some contentious issues

The Federal Government & ASUU Reached Agreement on some 

contentious issues. There were indications late on Thursday 

that the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of 

Universities had agreed on some demands of the union in the 

efforts to resolve the strike by the lecturers.

The meeting, which began around 1.30pm, ended around 

11pm 

as both parties were initially adamant to shift grounds on 

some 

contentious issues.

In attendance on the government’s side were the Minister of 

Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; the Minister of 

Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu; and the Minister of State 

for 

Education, Prof. Anthony Anwuka.

The ASUU nine-man delegation was led by the union President, 

Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi.

Earlier, the education minister, Adamu, identified the 

contentious issues as earned academic allowances and the 

revitalisation of public universities.

ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi

Olaleye Aluko, Abuja

There were indications late on Thursday that the Federal 

Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities had 

agreed on some demands of the union in the efforts to resolve 

the strike by the lecturers.

The meeting, which began around 1.30pm, ended around 

11pm 

as both parties were initially adamant to shift grounds on 

some 

contentious issues.

Our correspondent learnt as of press time that a memorandum 

had been signed by both ASUU and the government.

In attendance on the government’s side were the Minister of 

Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; the Minister of 

Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu; and the Minister of State 

for 

Education, Prof. Anthony Anwuka.

The ASUU nine-man delegation was led by the union President, 

Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi.

Earlier, the education minister, Adamu, identified the 

contentious issues as earned academic allowances and the 

revitalisation of public universities.

“Most of the issues between the government and the union 

have already been dealt with. The two most important and 

contentious issues are the earned allowances and the 

revitalisation of university system.

“We have already reached an agreement on one and we hope 

to 

reach an agreement on the other,” the minister added.

Also, labour minister, Ngige, said the meeting would “break 

down the areas of mistrust” between the government and the 

union.

He said, “We last met on August 17 and we agreed you would 

get back to your members and you would give us your 

proposal. We are convening this meeting with this in mind; to 

smooth the rough edges and enable you to call off this strike, 

which will be one month in a matter of days. This will 

not augur well for the academic calendar of universities.

“We want to address and break down the areas of mistrust between us.”

The ASUU President, Ogunyemi, said, “Once we are able to 

resolve the contentious issues, we are willing to go back to our 

members in earnest and take the final decision on this action.”