ASUU calls off nationwide strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced a conditional suspension of its nationwide strike.

This comes after a series of meetings between top government officials and members of the union.

ASUU has now directed its members to return to classrooms with immediate effect.

President of the Union, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, addressed a news conference at about 8:30 pm Thursday night, after another round of meeting with the government delegation, led by the Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige.

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On 8 January, the federal government reached an agreement with ASUU, agreeing to release N15.4 billion for the payment of the salary shortfalls, which was one of the major demands of the union.

“On the issue of salaries in tertiary institutions, especially in universities, the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General provided evidence that as at December 31, 2018 the Federal Government had remitted N15.4 billon,” Ngige said at the time.

“Also on the issue of Earned Allowances in the universities system, they also showed us evidence that Mr President has approved the N20 billion to be used to offset the outstanding arrears of the 2009 and 2012, audit verified earnings, in the university system.

“This money is being worked on, and will be released to ASUU as soon as the process is completed.

“ASUU has fulfilled its own side of the bargain in terms of NUPECO, which is the Pension Fund Administration company that ASUU has floated to take care of pension for people in the university system.

“The Pension regulator, the PENCOM, has asked certain positions to be fulfilled and they gave ASUU a temporary license, which has expired.

“ASUU has submitted all the documents and fulfilled all conditions needed to get their license,” Ngige added.