The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has indicated that it will end the its prolonged nationwide strike soon.
Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU president gave the indication on Thursday at a meeting between the Federal Government represented by the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige and the union’s leadership.
The decision is sequel to assurances by the Labour Ministry that government will meet their demands within the stipulated time frame.
Prof Ogunyemi said that members are ready to return to work in the interest of the nation.
According to him, just like other parents, members also have children who have been idle at home during the prolonged strike.
In his words, “our members are ready and willing to go to class because it is a matter of national interest.
“Just like every other person’s child, at home, our members’ children are also at home.
The ASUU President commended the Senate leadership, Minister of Labour and the Accountant General of the Federation among other stakeholders for making it possible for them to discuss the issues.
He said that that the ASUU representatives owe it members a duty to effective representation. For that reason, they attended Thursday’s meeting with an open mind.
Some of the agreements reached are:
- The release of N20 billion for the revitalisation of of public universities until the Minister of Education makes request for additional funding.
- Release of N30 billion as Earned Academic Allowance to the Academic Staff Union of Universities to call off their strike. The allowance will be paid in instalments between May 2021 and February 2022.
However, there are indications that the Federal Government is compelled to meet ASUU demands as the prolonged strike has contributed to the #ENDSARS protests.
The information was gathered in a yet to be confirmed official Twitter handle of the union:
There are also reports from the same Twitter handle that Universities would re-open on the 19th of October: