The strike notice issued by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to expire on September 9, just three days after a rescheduled meeting between the Federal Government (FG) and ASUU.
The FG and ASUU have been in urgent discussions to avert a potential strike following a 21-day notice issued by the union. A compromise has been reached, with a sub-committee established to review ASUU’s demands, and both parties have committed to finding lasting solutions to the ongoing crisis.
This development follows a meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja, initiated by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and attended by ASUU’s leadership, including its National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke. The meeting, which lasted approximately two and a half hours, concluded with an agreement to reconvene on September 6.
Prof. Mamman announced that a sub-committee has been formed to thoroughly examine ASUU’s demands and address any unresolved issues. In response, Prof. Osodeke expressed hope that all matters would be settled before the September 6 meeting. He emphasized that ASUU’s actions are in the best interest of Nigerian students, with a focus on resolving the issues amicably.
The strike notice by ASUU, issued on August 19 after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the University of Ibadan, followed unmet demands by the FG. The demands include a comprehensive overhaul of the university system, improved infrastructure, enhanced academic freedom, and a sustainable funding model. Additionally, ASUU is calling for the release of revitalization funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, and the release of earned allowances for university lecturers. The union also seeks the deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).
Earlier today, the Minister of Education established an implementation monitoring committee for the NEEDS Assessment intervention fund for Nigerian public universities, as part of efforts to address the union’s demands.