In Nigeria: ASUU and Nigerian Goverment reach an agreement

By Frank Justice

Abuja: The President of ASUU Prof Biodun Ogunyemi today told press men that the government and ASUU has reached an agreement and will get back to their members in the University to discuss and reach a concession as to weather or not it will accept the N220 billion the government is proposing in a round table early this morning.

The government bowed to some of the union's demand with a very considerable proposals which the union seemed to be satisfied with during the negotiations in Abuja on Friday.

The government came to a concession of honoring the 2009 agreement government had with ASUU, by releasing N220 billion before October this year to fund the revitalization of Federal universities in the country.

The Meeting reportedly started by 2.30pm on Thursday and ended by 2.15am in the early hours of Friday after a concise consideration on ASUU demands.

Government  was lead by the Minister of Education Adamu Adamu and Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Chris Ngige, while ASUU was lead by its president prof Biodun Ogunyemi, the deliberation had brought the both parties to a concession.

The president of ASUU Prof Biodun Ogunyemi who described the proposal by government as concrete, said that the proposal will be taken to the ASUU national committee for considetions by members.

Prof Biodun Ogunyemi said that it would take a week of deliberation by his organization NEC and will get back to the government next week about the next line of actions.

The minister of Labour and Employment said that government has discussed with ASUU on all matters of their complaints, he said that the closed door meeting addressed the issues of the 2009 and 2013 MoU  between the two parties, ranging from the Pencom which government has agreed to set up, the issues of revitalization of the Federal Universities which the sum of N220 billion will be released not later than October this year, he also mentioned that government has already started paying the areas owned to lecturers.


“So,on the issue of funding for the revitalization of public universities, this negotiating team discussed in detail and extensively on that. This is the fund that would be needed for the revitalization of public universities in terms of their working tools and other things needed for effective performance of their duties.

“There was an agreement from the MoU of 2009 and that of 2013, for government to be making some quarterly payments into this fund. And from 2014 to date, it has not been possible for government to pay or they didn’t pay. But this government has been negotiating with ASUU since last year.

“Today, there’s is a government proposal which we all agreed that it can be workable. But ASUU has to take back this our proposal to their organs,so we decided that there’s an agreement for government to make some funds available in September and October to show that they are not repudiating their agreement and to also show sign of good faith.

“However, because of inability of government to pay the required amount which is at N220 billion, a seven-man committee was proposed and ASUU leadership is expected to send in three nominees into this committee. It’s a technical committee so to say,a working committee and they would send in the three-man nomination,the Minister of Education will appoint three persons to represent the federal government and the chairman, making four to bring the number to seven.

“ASUU will also send in their proposal for testing terms of reference for the committee to the minister. We expect that that will be done today since today is already a Friday.

“This committee is expected to work out the ways and means for the government and ASUU to actualize the aspirations as per the 2013 MoU. This is without prejudice to the Babalakin committee on the re-negotiation of the 2009 MoU between the Federal Government and ASUU. “On the issue of Earn Academic Allowances, we have listened and payment has started in that direction. Same with staff schools.

“Government is though not appealing, we have agreed that the decision should be conveyed to the various universities. “Issue of NUPENCO was addressed and ways have been fashioned out for the registration of that company.

“Salary shortfalls for lecturers and university staff were also addressed and government has shown their commitment and evidence that payments have started in order to liquidate the outstanding allowances.

“The issue of TSA exemption was also discussed and an agreement or proposal was muted by which the Central Bank would a special account for that in order for endowment funds and research grants will be exempted.

“State universities which has been the concern for ASUU and everybody who has been looking for quality education in the country was also discussed and the Minister of Education was mandated to take the memo to the council of state and the Federal Executive Council.

“Based on these discussions, ASUU leadership will consult with its organs and revert back to government within one week. They will consult with their organs with a view to calling off the strike, We expect them that within one week, they will get back to government.

Source: Vanguard Nigeria