The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to convene on Wednesday to determine its next course of action following renegotiations led by the Yayale Ahmed committee, established by the Federal Government.
In a last-minute attempt to prevent a fresh strike, the government’s renegotiation team met with ASUU on Monday. According to a senior NEC member who spoke on condition of anonymity, the talks, which began on Monday, are scheduled to formally conclude on Tuesday.
“The renegotiation meeting started on Monday and will end on Tuesday. After that, NEC will meet and determine our next steps by Wednesday. Everyone will know the outcome then,” the source said.
ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government expired on Saturday, intensifying concerns across public universities nationwide. The union has repeatedly threatened a full-scale strike, citing the government’s “nonchalant” attitude toward longstanding demands.
ASUU’s Key Demands
ASUU’s demands include:
- Review of the 2009 ASUU–Federal Government agreement
- Payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances
- Release of funds for university revitalisation
Despite these unresolved issues, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, who is currently abroad, has maintained that the government has largely met ASUU’s demands. Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks ago, he reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that public universities must remain operational without a strike.
“The President has mandated us that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure that our students stay in school. We’ve met nearly all their requirements and have returned to the negotiation table. We will resolve this,” Alausa said.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed full support for ASUU, warning that it will “fight alongside the academic community” if the government fails to meet the union’s demands.
With negotiations concluding this week, all eyes will be on the ASUU NEC meeting Wednesday to see whether public universities will resume normal academic activities or face another strike.
