Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, is scheduled to meet with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities on Tuesday (today) as part of attempts to terminate the union’s strike.
In protest of the continuing strike, the National Association of Nigerian Students has urged its members to block key federal roadways in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory on February 28, 2022.
On Monday, the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s spokesperson, Charles Akpan, confirmed the planned meeting to our correspondent.
Strike: ASUU NEC Set To Meet FG As They meet In Abuja
“On Tuesday at 1 p.m., the minister will meet with the ASUU. It will be held in the ministry’s headquarters, according to Akpan.
When the Federal Government failed to meet ASUU’s demands, the union called a four-week national strike on February 14, 2022.
Funding for the revitalization of public universities, earned academic allowances, the University Transparency Accountability Solution, promotion arrears, renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, and inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System Payment are among the union’s unmet demands.
Dr Dele Ashiru, ASUU chairman for the University of Lagos branch, stated his hopes for the meeting and encouraged the government to begin implementing the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement.
“They should just sign our renegotiated 2009 agreement and start implementing the new compensation structure for our members,” he stated.
NANS Threatens Nationwide Protest Over ASUU ‘One Month’ Strike
“We’re not opposed to renegotiation; what we don’t want is for them to keep our document without looking at it.”
“If they have any concerns about the document, they should let us know so we can discuss it.”
The government is the one who avoids negotiations; our union is not.”
“Our members are not ready for any Memorandum of Understanding or action because the government has demonstrated total insincerity and disrespect for our members and they are not ready to build Nigerian institutions,” said Dr Adelaja Odukoya, the union’s Lagos Zone Coordinator.
NANS, on the other hand, has ordered the closure of all key routes in all states of the federation, as well as Abuja.
On Monday, the students’ group issued a statement titled ‘NANS National Action Against Incessant ASUU Strike,’ which was jointly signed by its President, Asefon Sunday, and Secretary-General, Adekitan Lukman.
Nigerians React As ASUU Declares Nationwide Strike Today
“I am glad to command the immediate initiation of preparation and mass mobilization of Nigerian students and comrades across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory in accordance with congress decision,” the statement stated.
“The plan of action is as follows: blockade of all key federal roadways in all 36 states of the union, led and directed by the NANS JCC and zonal executive, including NANS national authorities in the state.”
“The national secretariat, in coordination with the NANS FCT axis, will block the Federal Capital Territory.”
“These became sacrosanct once ASUU and FG fail to reach compromise and get our campuses reopened on or before February 28, 2022.
“In a clear term, Monday, February 28, 2022 is hereby declared as national action day against ASUU incessant strike action.”
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