ASUU moves to end strike

There are strong indications that the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), may have begun to call off its nine-month-old strike following some agreements reached with the federal government.

At the end of a closed-door meeting between the two parties on Friday at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, it was gathered that government agreed to raise payment for Earned Academic Allowance and revitilisation to N70bn.

According to a top official of the ministry who was privy to the discussions, the government pledged to pay N40 billion as the Earned Allowance and N30bn for the revitalization of the university system bringing the total payment to N70 billion.

The official added that government also pledge to settle university lecturers’ salary arrears between February and June on or before December 31, a development ASUU members welcomed.

Daily Trust had reported that government at last week meeting accepted to exempt the varsity teachers from Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) pending the approval of their proposed payment system, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

Speaking after the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who led government’s delegation told newsmen that the parley was fruitful, reiterating that the government made a proposal to ASUU which it would take back to its members.

“Many issues were discussed at the meeting including salary shortfall, the payment system and revitalization of the university system. I am positive that all the issues would be resolved at our next meeting,” the minister said.

When journalists turned to the ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, he simply said everything the minister said was correct and declined to comment further.

Both parties, however, promised to get back to their respective principals and organs respectively and report back in the next meeting.