The Federal Government has established committees to resolve grievances raised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) following an ultimatum issued nearly three weeks ago, ASUU’s Vice President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, confirmed to The PUNCH in Abuja.
The committees are set to meet on September 11, 2024, to address issues including the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), and salary arrears.
These decisions were reached during a closed-door meeting between ASUU leaders and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, led by Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman.
ASUU’s demands, which include improved welfare, enhanced university funding, and halting the proliferation of universities, were reiterated following a national executive council meeting at the University of Ibadan on August 19, 2024.
The union has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike over the Federal Government’s failure to honor the renegotiated 2009 agreement.
Responding to ASUU’s ultimatum, Minister of Education Tahir Mamman acknowledged that the issues in contention date back to 1981 and said the government is working to address them.
Mamman added that the government is committed to finding a permanent solution to the recurrent ASUU strikes, urging the union to be open-minded during negotiations. “The President made a commitment during the campaign that a permanent solution would be provided this time, and he has shown that in his steps and actions,” he noted.
ASUU’s leadership has yet to comment on whether the planned strike will proceed if the committees fail to meet their demands by the agreed date.
