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BREAKING: At last, FG, ASUU reach agreement, sign deal

The federal government and the striking University teachers have finally signed an agreement, raising hope of an end to the three months old strike.

The agreement was signed on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting between the warring parties.

The University lecturers commenced a nationwide strike late last year to demand for the full implementation of the agreement it reached with the government in 2009.

Until now, government and the leadership of the union have met nine different times, with non yielding any meaningful result.

Meanwhile, ASUU has not formally declared suspension of the strike as it is yet to address the media as at the time of filing this report.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu on Saturday suggested a breakthrough in negotiations with the striking university lecturers.

At a media conference in Abuja, he said an agreement was reached with the union which was expected to cancel the strike.

He said on Saturday, “The strike will be called off from today or tomorrow and certainly, there won’t be strike next week.”

The lecturers under the umbrella of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) started an indefinite strike on November 5, 2018, after the failure to reach agreement with the government over their demands.

The strike was said to have disrupted activities at the universities as well as student achievement.

Previous meetings resolutions

After the Federal Government and ASUU had a close door meeting which lasted for 4 hours today. The President of ASUU, Biodun OgunyemWe has told Journalists that the meeting has ended and there are some areas needed to be address.

He said, “We have not suspended the strike, the discussion will continue at a later date. We are going back to our members for further consultation. FG gave us reaction to our proposals but there were still grey areas that we are trying to sort out.

“Before the strike can be suspended, the most critical area that FG must address is revitalization. It is central to our academic work, unless that area is addressed, our members will still have issues. We are not demanding for N50bn, we are saying that the minimum that FG can release to reactivate revitalization fund is N50bn.” 

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige said the government have agree to meet up with the demands of the Union and waiting for ASUU Leadership for another meeting.

The Minister also added, “We did not take a long time than we anticipated. We have other commitments but the important thing is that we have made substantial progress. We have reached some agreements in seven areas. Most of the issues have been resolved but ASUU will need to consult its members and come with what they think.