The meeting between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) concluded today, with both parties describing it as productive. However, they remained tight-lipped about the specific issues discussed during the nearly two-hour meeting.
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, told reporters that the meeting resulted in an agreement for ASUU leadership to present the discussed decisions to their members and return with feedback on September 6.
Prof. Mamman said, “We have had a very fruitful discussion. We have worked out modalities on how to make progress with them.
“So the task before us now is to work on those modalities to solving the problems.
“So we are coming back again, reconvening on the 6th of September, to report back progress, towards the resolution of the issues.”
The government is also expected to act on certain agreements reached during the meeting within the two-week window.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed that the meeting reviewed progress made since their last meeting and agreed to give the government time to address the outstanding issues before their next meeting on September 6.
Both parties refused to disclose further details about the discussed issues and agreements, leaving the public in suspense about the potential resolution of the disputes that threatened another nationwide strike in public universities.
The meeting aimed to prevent a strike and find common ground on the union’s demands, which the government allegedly failed to meet.
The federal government delegation was led by Prof. Mamman, while ASUU’s representatives included Prof. Osodeke, executive members, and former presidents, including Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi.
