FG admits it”s betrayed ASUU on years of deals – Ed minister

The Federal Government on Wednesday admitted that it failed to fulfil the agreements reached last year with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities. The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, stated this while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. " I must confess government […]

The Federal Government on Wednesday admitted that it failed to fulfil the agreements reached last year with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, stated this while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

" I must confess government has not fulfilled its part of the bargain, even though we are unhappy that ASUU went on this strike without following due process and giving us good notice, we realised that we promised something and we didn’t fulfill it.

"I am sure you are aware of the issues we agreed on. There is the issue of re-negotiation which is the only one they agreed government has done what it promised because we set up the re-negotiation team and negotiation is already ongoing.

He, however, said the government was not happy that the union embarked on strike without following due process and giving good notice.

Adamu, who said he would meet the union later Wednesday or on Thursday expressed confidence that some agreements would be reached and the strike called off as soon as possible.

The minister emphasised that the government would not accede to the union’s request for exemption from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

"There is the issue of registration for Nigerian Universities Pension Commission. I think that one there are few issues that need to be sorted out with the Nigerian Pension Commission, I believe there will be no problem with that. 

"The issue of their staff school which I think the court has given them verdict to go ahead with it, they have requested that they should be allowed to stay off TSA and I think government will not do this, but there are some peculiar funds in the university like endowment which are monies kept and all the interest they generate, prices and so on are given.

"Government will exempt that one only, but universities, it is part of the peculiarities, they just must log on. I hope later on when I meet them today there will be total agreement."