Varsities may reopen
soon, with the Federal Government making concessions to the striking Academic
Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The
concessions will be tabled before the union’s leaders on Monday at a
meeting to be convened by Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige.
The
Minister has reached out to the ASUU leadership for the “robust feedback
session” with the hope that the union will return to the negotiation table.
Varsity
lecturers on November 4, last year, began a strike to push the implementation
of the 2017 Memorandum of Action.
The
Memorandum was a follow-up to the 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement.
ASUU
National President Biodun Ogunyemi attributed the strike to “the insincerity of
government in meeting our demands”.
But on Monday, the
Federal Government succeeded in addressing the demands of the lecturers and
other unions.
“One of the conditions met by the Federal Government was the
release of N15.89billion to universities on New Year’s Eve( Monday) for the
payment of shortfall in salaries of universities,” a source told the media
“The cash
is expected to hit the account of all the institutions on or before the close
of work today (Wednesday),” he added, pleading not to be named.
“The
government has also set aside N20billion as revitalisation funds for varsities.
The National Universities Commission( NUC) has been directed to work out the
modalities for allocating the funds to all institutions.
“On the
demand for the setting up of Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company
(
NUPEMCO), the government has directed the National Pension Commission (NUPEMCO)
to issue a licence for the company’s take-off.
“Funds
have also been set aside for Earned Academic allowances for lecturers, senior
staff and other workers.”
Replying
a question, the source added: “This agreement was inherited by the
administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, but despite the lean resources
available to the government as a result of the fall in oil prices, we have done
our best to meet ASUU demands.”
Ngige
said: “We have gone far in considering the demands of the lecturers. We
have substantially met the conditions.
“I am
meeting with ASUU leaders on Monday where all steps taken by the government
will be tabled before them. This is a responsive and transparent government, we
have done our best to meet the conditions.
“In fact,
officials from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning will be at the next
meeting with ASUU leadership where they will be briefed on facts and figures.
“We are
hopeful that the actions taken by the government will be acceptable to ASUU for
our schools to reopen.”
ASUU
Chairman in the Southwest Zone Dr. Deji Omole denied knowledge of any updates
on the union’s negotiation with the Federal Government.
Omole, who is also the Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter ,
told the media that the government was yet to call another meeting in the
ongoing negotiation since over two weeks ago.
He said
the negotiating committee was awaiting announcement of a new date for talks.
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