Buhari to Ngige; Stay Out of ASUU Negotiations, Gives Adamu Two weeks to End Strike

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mohammadu Buhari GCFR has ordered the Minister for Labour And Employment, Hon. Chris Ngige to stay off negotiations with ASUU over the ongoing strike action. This was part of the resolutions reached at the state house meeting after the president met with ministers and heads of agencies over the lingering ASUU strike. The President limited the involvement of the minister to the councillator and will only be in situations that he is required to get involved. This was after the president had given the Minister of Education Hon. Adamu Adamu the green light to take over negotiations and see that the strike is resolved in the space of two weeks.

The President also waded into the issue of the salary structure of the striking lecturers and the 100% increase in salaries had favourable backing from the presidency and it might just be getting its approval earlier than expected. Although, ASUU said it was open to considering the 100 per cent pay rise being proposed by the Federal Government. The union, however, said the government was yet to reach out to it on the new pay offer.

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Amongst other issues that were discussed at the consultative meeting that was was was held at the Aso Villa yesterday was the revitalisation fund of the universities. A source in the state house said the striking lecturers might be getting the first trench of the revitalisation funds which is believed to be in the range of 25%(320 Billion Naira) of the total amount that was promised during the Ebele Jonathan era.

The final stage of the pact with ASUU will now be domiciled in the Ministry of Education. But the Minister of Labour will now serve as a conciliator between the two parties if there are issues.

Among those at the meeting with the President were Adamu, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Dr Zainab Ahmed; Dr Ngige and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

Others include the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan; Chairman of National Salaries Income and Wages Commission Ekpo Nta and the Director-General, Budget Office, Ben Akabueze.

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