Negotiations between the Federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) formally ended on Tuesday, with the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) scheduled to meet on Wednesday to decide its next line of action, the union disclosed in post on its X handle.
The talks, led by the Yayale Ahmed Renegotiation Committee, resumed on Monday in what government officials described as a final push to avert another nationwide shutdown of public universities.
“ASUU-FG Negotiations ended today (Tuesday). ASUU NEC to review FG’s final terms on Wednesday. The National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities will meet on Wednesday to decide the union’s next line of action following the conclusion of renegotiations undertaken by the Yayale Ahmed-led committee set up by the Federal government,” ASUU stated.
ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal government expired on Saturday, fuelling concerns that the union may declare a fresh strike. ASUU insists the government has been slow in addressing its long-standing demands.
The union’s key issues include the renegotiation of the 2009 FG–ASUU agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned academic allowances, and the release of revitalisation funds to strengthen public university infrastructure.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who is currently on an official trip outside the country, had maintained that the Tinubu administration has made significant progress in meeting ASUU’s expectations. He recently reaffirmed the President’s directive that no strike should disrupt academic activities.
“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. We’ve met nearly all their requirements and have returned to the negotiation table. We will resolve this, he said.