TELL Magazine

Ahead of today’s meeting, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it may not call of its two and half months old strike until the Federal Government meets certain conditions.

ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, disclosed this in Ibadan, Oyo State ahead of today’s meeting between the union and government’s team.

The main condition, according to the striking lecturers, is that government must show concrete evidence of the payment of at least N50 billion revitalisation fund and the presentation of concrete evidences of the payment of the promised N20 billion earned academic allowances and how the balance of N85 billion will be paid with timelines.

ASUU expects government to pay an initial N50 billion as a sign of commitment for this quarter and another N50 billion in each of the next three quarters.

Ogunyemi also disclosed that some lecturers have rejected the N20 billion proposed by government that will be spread over two quarters in 2019, insisting on the release of at least N50 billion.

He said, “In relation to earned academic allowances, which they have an outstanding N105 billion, our members are saying that even if government is releasing N20 billion, let it be stated clearly that it is only for ASUU members and attach timelines to the balance, which it promised to pay in four instalments.

“In 2017, this government promised to mainstream the earned academic allowances into the budget so that we won’t be coming to talk about arrears. If government had put that into the 2018 budget, we would not be talking about arrears now.

“Our members are saying government should take steps to mainstream it into the 2019 budget and that is not late because the National Assembly and executive arm of government are still working on the budget.”