The Federal Government has scheduled two high-level meetings with the Academic Staff Union of Universities for Monday and Tuesday in a last-minute effort to prevent another shutdown of public universities.
The sessions, convened by the Yayale Ahmed Renegotiation Committee, come as ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the government expired on Saturday.
ASUU’s National Executive Council is expected to meet immediately after the government’s sessions to decide whether to launch a nationwide strike.
A senior NEC member, speaking anonymously, accused the government of using delay tactics and warned that the union would determine its next steps based on the outcome of the talks.
The union suspended its two-week warning strike on October 22, giving the government a month to fulfil outstanding commitments.
ASUU’s demands include a review of the 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement, payment of withheld salaries and earned allowances, and release of the university revitalisation fund. The union has warned it could embark on industrial action without further notice if no concrete progress is made.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, insists the government has met “virtually all” of the union’s demands.
He reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that public universities must not be allowed to slip into another strike cycle, stating that negotiations are ongoing and that the administration is committed to keeping students in school.
Alausa said the government was in continuous communication with ASUU leadership and remained confident a resolution was within reach.
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