ASUU Strike: Buhari Orders Education Minister To Resolve Strike Within 14 Days
President Muhhamadu Buhari in efforts to put an end to the lingering industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) met with some ministers and heads of Federal Government agencies involved in the negotiations at the Presidential Villa.
The meeting took place last night, and the President directed that the ongoing negotiation between the Federal Government and ASUU must be finalised within two to three weeks.
Buhari ordered Adamu to henceforth coordinate, lead talks and harmonise terms with ASUU immediately.
Adamu was also mandated to meet with the National Salaries and Wages Commission to work out payment details for the striking lecturers.
ASUU said it was open to considering the 100 per cent pay rise being proposed by the Federal Government.
The union, however, said the government was yet to reach out to it on the new pay offer.
There is cause for optimism as universities may also immediately get over N320billion revitalisation funds out of the outstanding N1.3trillion promised by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to reports by The Nation, a reliable source, spoke in confidence and said, Buhari stamped his feet at a session he had with Adamu and Dr Ngige in the Presidential Villa.
The source described the meeting as “frank and emotional” because the President wanted an immediate solution to the closure of universities.
The source said having discovered errors in the negotiation modules, President Buhari asked the Minister of Education to “henceforth coordinate, lead talks and harmonise terms with ASUU immediately.”
The source added: “Before the session, the President had received from Adamu the report of the Federal Renegotiation Team and ASUU, which contained some vital recommendations to resolve the six-month industrial action.
“Having reviewed the efforts made by the two ministers and all agencies, Buhari said the talks should now be handled by the Minister of Education, who raised Prof. Nimi Briggs 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement Renegotiation Team.
“The final stage of the pact with ASUU will now be domiciled in the Ministry of Education.
“But the Minister of Labour will now serve as a conciliator between the two parties if there are issues.
“Buhari put a caveat that the terms of the agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU must be completed within two to three weeks so that universities can reopen.”
It was learnt that Adamu met with Federal Government Renegotiation Team after his shuttle to the Presidential Villa.
