ASUU insists on the implementation of 2009 Agreement to call off strike

08 Mar ASUU insists on the implementation of 2009 Agreement to call off strike

Nigeria’s minister of education, Adamu Adamu, on Monday, gave a three-month deadline to the newly inaugurated committee saddled with the responsibility of renegotiating the 2009 agreement between the government and the university workers’ unions including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists.

But the leadership of ASUU has said the ongoing three-week-old nationwide strike will continue until “whatever the government wants to do with the agreement is completed and an acceptable implementation commences.”

Mr Adamu, who spoke during the inauguration of the renegotiation committee in Abuja, said he expected the exercise to be concluded within three months and produce a draft document.

The seven-man committee will be chaired by an emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, and pro-chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nimi Briggs.

The minister said the committee is expected to review the draft 2009 agreements and negotiate with the university-based unions including SSANU, NAAT and NASU.

Listing the terms of reference for the committee, the minister said: “Liaise and consult with relevant stakeholders to finalise the position of the Federal Government to the issues in the draft proposed FGN/ASUU Renegotiated Agreement;

“Renegotiate in realistic and workable terms the 2009 Agreements with other University-Based Unions; Negotiate and recommend any other issue the Committee deems relevant to reposition the NUS for global competitiveness; and submit proposed draft agreements within three (3) months from the date of inauguration.”

Mr Adamu said the nomination of the members and chairman of the committee was “not unconnected with your track records of invaluable impacts to the development and progress of the Nigerian University System.”

“I have no reservations that you would conduct this all important assignment with the seriousness and the urgency it deserves. This is more so, considering the ongoing industrial action by one of the unions,” he said.

He added that the government has appointed other relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to serve as advisers or observers.

The minister said the re-negotiation of the 2009 Agreements between the Federal Government and the university-based staff unions commenced on Monday, February 13, 2017.

“However, due to a number of unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to the COVID-19 pandemic, the exercise has, unfortunately, dragged on till now.” he said.

He urged the committee to double down on its efforts to complete the task and produce a “realistic and workable draft” that will holistically tackle the challenges confronting the NUS and reposition it to effectively play its very important role in national development.