James Ojo, Abuja
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended the 90-day-old nationwide industrial action; after signing an agreement with the Federal Government, yesterday evening.
ASUU President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, said the union agreed to suspend the three month-old strike following the review of a report of engagements with government on proposals for addressing all outstanding in the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding and the 2017 MoA. He, however, warned that should government fail to implement the agreement, ASUU would resume the strike.
Yesterday’s agreement was reached at the end of the 10 reconciliatory meetings at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige and the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, .
Reading the agreement signed by both parties, Ngige expressed optimism over the understanding and resilience displayed by ASUU. He said the parties unanimously resolved the eight issues on the table; to pave way for the return of academic exercise in the universities.
The issues were that of the NUMPENCO, which has been resolved as ASUU collected the licence to float its own pension management body on January 28, 2019.
He added that the visitation panel to the universities has been constituted and will commence work on March 2, with the view to sanitise tertiary institutions.
On earned allowances, the minister said that government has released N20 billion for all categories of staff, while N25 billion would be released as Revitalisation Fund, between April and May, this year, and resume full implementation of the MoU signed since 2009.
On the reconstitution of the Federal Government Negotiation Team, the don said they agreed that government’s team should reconvene not later than Monday, March 9 and conclude work on or before the March 29.
Professor Ogunyemi, who later briefed the media, added: “Finally, we have come up with a document which we signed on behalf of our members.”