Amid rising tensions, the Nigerian government has scheduled an emergency meeting with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for Monday, aiming to avert a looming strike. ASUU had issued a 21-day ultimatum on Wednesday, demanding that the Bola Tinubu-led administration address unresolved issues affecting the nation’s universities. The ultimatum, delivered by ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke at a press briefing held at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, warned of impending industrial action if their demands are not met.
The union’s grievances include the failure to implement the 2009 agreement, which has been a contentious issue for over a decade. Among other concerns are the poor funding of universities, unpaid allowances, and the lack of a concrete roadmap to resolve these longstanding issues.
In response, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced on Thursday that government officials will meet with ASUU leaders on Monday to discuss the union’s demands. Speaking on TVC’s Beyond 100 Days, Prof. Mamman acknowledged the historical nature of the issues, noting that some date back as far as 1981. He expressed hope that the meeting would lead to a resolution that prevents a strike and addresses the concerns of university lecturers.
This meeting comes at a critical time, with many stakeholders urging the government to take decisive action to prevent further disruption to the academic calendar. The last ASUU strike, which lasted eight months, left a significant impact on students and the education sector as a whole.
