ASUU, FG Resumes Talk

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Nigerian government will on Monday resume talks in an attempt to end the ongoing industrial action by the union.

“The Academic Staff Union of Universities @ASUUNGR and the Federal Government @AsoRock are to resume talks Monday 21st January 2019,” ASUU tweeted Sunday night.

“Time and venue will be communicated.”

This will be the eighth meeting since the union embarked on the strike on November 4, 2018.

The union is demanding improved funding for universities and implementation of previous agreements with the government.

The Union has on Thursday gave conditions upon which the prolonged industrial action will be suspended.

“The Academic Staff Union of Universities @ASUUNGR have asked @AsoRock to release N50 billion to demonstrate its commitment to the revitalisation of public universities, in line with previous agreements with the union,” ASUU tweeted.

The union said the N50 billion will form the first share of the N220 billion federal government agreed for the project this year and add to the N20 billion earlier released for the year.

It also disclosed that it has “submitted its suggestions and awaits a meeting with the government next week.”

Although the minister of labour, Chris Ngige, previous Thursday said the government has approved N20 billion to be used to offset the outstanding arrears, ASUU said it was still awaiting its payment.