The Federal Government will meet the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) today in a bid to stop another ASUU strike over unresolved university issues.
The Ministry of Education confirmed the meeting, stressing its commitment to dialogue and collaboration on challenges in Nigeria’s university system.
ASUU had warned of a nationwide strike if the government fails to address unpaid salary arrears, university funding, and the 2009 agreement. On Tuesday, union branches protested nationwide, disrupting academic activities.
Earlier, Education Minister Maruf Olatunji Alausa met ASUU leaders on salary reviews and entitlements. But the union insists on withheld salaries, allowances, and unpaid third-party deductions.
ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, faulted government’s slow response to long-standing demands, warning that lecturers’ patience is wearing thin.
Piwuna said the union has always chosen dialogue but criticized government inefficiency since democracy began in 1999. He noted that ASUU has engaged two ministers under this administration with little progress.
Several universities, including KWASU, AAUA, FUNAAB, OOU, and AAU, also staged protests over unpaid salaries and unfulfilled promises.
ASUU rejected the proposed loan scheme for lecturers, calling it a trap that could worsen financial struggles.
Failure to meet ASUU’s demands may trigger another nationwide strike.
