Call Off Strike; We Have Resolved All Issues, FG Tells Asuu

The Federal Government has called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities(Asuu) to call off its strike embarked on since November 4.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, said the federal government had released N16.8 billion to settle outstanding salary arrears of staff in the country’s tertiary institutions.


Malam Adamu disclosed this during the “Sixth Edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing’’ in Abuja.
The minister said that disbursement was ongoing through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

According to him, the government had resolved all issues and await the academic unions to also call off their strike in the coming days, especially Asuu and Asup.
He stressed that the Federal Government had reached agreement in the following areas: Review of Polytechnic Act; government awaits the transmittal of the amended document by the National Assembly to Mr President for his assent.

He said was committed to the revitalisation of facilities in its public tertiary institutions.
The minister also said that the government had directed the Minister of Finance to source for additional funding to the tune of N30 billion for the purpose, with particular reference to polytechnics and colleges of education.

“Also for state-owned polytechnics; the National Board for Technical Education has been directed to strengthen its regulatory mechanism including developing a new template for accreditation to address observed weaknesses,” he said.
“And to ensure that proprietors of polytechnics including states and private owners meet their obligations to their staff.
“Again as a demonstration of Government’s commitment to continue dialogue with the staff unions, the ministry will provide alternative funding for the stalled renegotiations in the polytechnics sub-sector.
“The National Board for Technical Education and the National Commission for Colleges of Education have also been directed to ensure compliance with the approved schedules of meetings with their respective Unions.”