The Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions, NASU, and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has announced the suspension of their strike, effectively on Wednesday.
This was disclosed by the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of both unions in a statement issued by Mr Peter Adeyem, on Saturday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Adeyemi said the decision to suspend the strike was reached after negotiation between the unions and the Federal Government team led by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.
He said that the suspension will last for an initial two months to afford the government time to implement the agreements reached.
He said, “Part of the agreement is the decision of the government to set aside the sum of N50 billion for the payment of earned academic and earned allowances, cogent decision on the University Peculiar Personnel Payroll System (U3PS).
“Release of the whitepaper on university visitation panel and funding of the universities.
“On the poor funding of federal institutions, the Minister directed the National Universities Commission (NUC), to ensure that all the schools are up-to-date on what they are supposed to do.
He added, “Otherwise sanctions will be visited on any institution that defaults.
“The Minister of Education also gave an assurance that no member of the unions that participated in the strike will be victimized.”
Adeyemi stated that President Muhammadu Buhari pledged to earmark 15 percent of the national budget to education.
Commenting on the payment platform, he said, “on the salary payment system, the minister said the alternative payment systems provided by ASUU, JAC of NASU and SSANU did very well.
See Also: Strike To Continue As ASUU, FG Meeting Ends In Deadlock
“The minister also said the Federal Government was awaiting the report of the technical committee it set up before taking action on the matter.
“After prolonged negotiations and dialogue between the two unions and the Federal Government led Adamu and after the meeting, the two unions decided to suspend the strike for the initial period of two months.
“When we presented the offers that the government made to our members, they think that since the majority of the issues that are in contention have been substantially addressed by the government, the strike is hereby suspended effective on Aug. 24,” he said.
In the same vein, SSANU in a statement signed by its President, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, said the meeting between the government and the unions was satisfactory.
Ibrahim said, “today, having satisfied ourselves that government, this time around has committed itself to agreeing to respect the agreements that have been reached at the meetings.
“To this end, we hereby inform you of a two months window given to the government to actualize the agreements that have been reached.
“NASU and SSANU members are hereby directed to resume duties on Wednesday, Aug. 24, ‘he said.
Source: Vanguard