By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
The Nigerian government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) leaders met to discuss the issues that have been causing problems.
The ASUU leaders had given the government a 21-day ultimatum to address their concerns, which include fair pay, better working conditions, and more funding for universities.
The government and ASUU leaders had a closed-door meeting, after which the Education Minister, Prof Tahir Mamman, briefed the press. He said they made progress and set up small groups to work on the issues raised by the teachers’ union. These issues include the renegotiation of the agreement between the government and ASUU, the release of withheld salaries, and the funding for the revitalization of public universities.
The minister expressed hope that they can resolve the issues before their next meeting on September 6. He said they have a good window of opportunity to resolve the issues and that the task before them now is to work on the modalities and processes to achieve this.
The ASUU leader, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, said they will communicate whatever they get from the government to their members and let them decide on the next step if there’s no agreement by September 6. He emphasized that the union’s leadership doesn’t decide for its members, but rather lets them decide on the best course of action.
