MOU: FG, ASUU resume negotiation
The Federal Government team and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday resumed negotiation towards resolving issues raised by universities before the signing of the agreement by both parties. The Chairman of 2009 FG/ASUU Re-negotiation Team, Dr Wale Babalakin while addressing journalists in Abuja after about six hours meeting said both parties were […]
Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu
The Federal Government team and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday resumed negotiation towards resolving issues raised by universities before the signing of the agreement by both parties.
The Chairman of 2009 FG/ASUU Re-negotiation Team, Dr Wale Babalakin while addressing journalists in Abuja after about six hours meeting said both parties were appropriately represented and they had very positive discussion.
Recalled ASUU commenced an indefinite strike on Nov. 5, 2018 over certain demands based on agreement reached with government in 2009, and after series of meeting to reach a negotiation, the strike was called off three months after, on February 8, 2019.
The Chairman who refused to disclose the issues discussed in the meetings said: “There are so many issues. ASUU submitted a timetable today and there are over 20 issues in that timetable so it is not a singular issue to be discussed and they will all be discussed.”
“We actually hope that we are on a good path for finalizing the negotiation. We had very positive discussion on topical issues and both sides made extensive contribution for the benefit of the universities,” he said.
“In the negotiation, you have to seek the consent of the other party before you make such disclosure. But at the stage of signing the agreement, we will be willing to tell you all the headline and all the important issue,” he added.
He further said: “We start this morning at 10 am and there was a break for about 30 minutes. Both sides are determined to put an end to this. So I reckon that it will happen within the fastest possible time.”
He maintained that it is a continuous negotiation for the betterment of the education sector.
Answering the question on if issues before the federal government has been met, he said, “I am aware that even before this meeting, there was a memorandum signing with the federal government and that memorandum was presented to us among the papers that we saw. I believe there is progress, we just want a comprehensive one.”
While countering the possibility of ASUU going on another strike, he said, “I don’t believe it is ASUU’s objective to disrupt the educational system. But I think that we will find a solution. We must remain optimistic.”