The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it will honour the Federal Government’s invitation to a negotiation meeting as the one-month ultimatum it issued expires on Friday.
In a communiqué made available to news men on Thursday, the union said the meeting was convened by the government to conclude the ongoing renegotiation process. The union described the invitation as “late,” but noted that it would not reject dialogue “as a responsible organisation.”
ASUU said the outcome of the meeting with the Federal Government would guide the decision of its National Executive Council (NEC), which is scheduled to convene immediately afterwards to determine the union’s next line of action.
“All members are urged to remain calm, motivated, and fully prepared,” the statement said. It added that the unity of the union remained its “greatest strength,” urging members to be ready to comply with whatever directive might emerge from the NEC.
The union had earlier issued a one-month ultimatum demanding progress on long-standing issues, including renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement, payment of withheld salaries, and a sustainable funding model for public universities.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, recently stated that the government had “literally met” many of ASUU’s demands, a claim the union has disputed.
Stakeholders say the upcoming NEC decision will determine whether the universities face another round of industrial action. A nationwide strike could have significant implications for students, parents and academic calendars across the country if negotiations fail.
ASUU concluded its communiqué with the message: “The struggle continues.”
