Deep: Outcome of Latest Meeting Between ASUU and FG

The latest meeting between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, ended in a deadlock on Thursday.

In his opening remark, Labour Minister, Chris Ngige, accused ASUU of not following the proper procedure before starting the strike.

“There must be a mandatory letter of 15 days to labour, to education before going on strike,” he said, referring to the ministries of labour and education.

“All agreements are supposed to be domiciled in ministry of labour in order to track implementation as agreement gives room to renegotiation,” Mr. Ngige.

Responding ASUU president, Biodun Ogunyemi, said Mr. Ngige had taken side with his education colleague, Adamu Adamu, and that ASUU informed relevant ministries before embarking on strike.

“There was a letter dated July 10 to inform the major stakeholders. In the last 10 months, we’ve written 10 letters trying to reach out to relevant stakeholders after suspending the seven days warning strike in November last year,” he said.

“This is not a fresh action and we are open to suggestions.”
The meeting later went into a technical session.

In the end, the ASUU chairman said the strike continued and that the union would revert to the government next week.

Meanwhile earlier in the day, Nigeria's Education Minister Adamu Adamu has stated that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, will call off its strike next week.

He said this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on Thursday.

He said executive arm of government has commenced plans to ensure that it honours the agreement between the federal government and ASUU.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Jibrin Barau, commended the Minister for efforts made by his Ministry so far towards ensuring that the situation is resolved and the strike action called off.