The ASUU strike in 2013 continues, but the latest news is great–the strike is basically called off, with the government and the union finally reaching and signing an agreement.
The months long strike has continued for quite some time, as has the back and forth between the two sides.
Now it appears the union is finally satisfied with the government’s latest offer, which includes a generous key provision–that the striking lecturers will get paid for the time they were striking, even though they were not teaching.
Dr. Nasir Fagge, president of the ASUU, signed the document. From the government, Nyesom Wike, minister of education, signed it.
“All contending issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties; we are partners in progress and there is no victor no vanquish, as our struggle is in the interest of the country,” Wike said, reported the Leadership.
However, it’s not quite clear when the strike will in physical reality be called off.
Wike said that “the vice chancellors of Nigerian universities have been directed by the pro-chancellors to immediately reopen the universities for academic activities while the minor discrepancies are being sorted out.”
But Fagge said that the union leadership would take the signed document to the National Executive Council so the council can “analyze it” and “direct us appropriately,” reported the Daily Post.
“We shall hold a NEC meeting of all union executive members, after which we shall call off the strike,” he said. “This can happen within one week, hence it’s possible that the strike would be called off within one week.”
Among the other provisions are an amount of money satisfactory to the union for improving infrastrucure at universities across Nigeria, as well as the N200 billion deposited in the Central Bank of Nigeria for a range of purposes.
