The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to determine the union’s next course of action following the conclusion of renegotiation talks led by the Federal Government-appointed committee headed by Yayale Ahmed, The PUNCH reports.
In a last-minute attempt to avert a fresh strike, the government’s renegotiation team reconvened discussions with ASUU on Monday, with talks expected to formally wrap up on Tuesday, according to a senior NEC member who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The renegotiation meeting started on Monday and will end on Tuesday. After that, NEC will meet and determine our next steps by Wednesday. Everyone will know the outcome then,” the source said.
ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government expired on Saturday, heightening tension across public universities. The union has repeatedly threatened a nationwide strike, accusing the government of a “nonchalant” attitude toward its long-standing demands.
Key demands include:
- Review of the 2009 ASUU–Federal Government agreement
- Payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances
- Release of funds for university revitalisation
Despite these grievances, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, currently out of the country, insists that the government has met most of the union’s requirements. Speaking two weeks ago, Alausa reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that public universities must not go on strike, emphasizing ongoing negotiations.
“As I told you, the President has mandated us that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure that our students stay in school,” Alausa said.
“We’ve met nearly all their requirements and have returned to the negotiation table. We will resolve this.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its solidarity with ASUU, warning that it will “fight alongside the academic community” if the government fails to address the union’s concerns.