We Didn’t Promise To End ASUU Strike in Two weeks – FG
The Federal Government of Nigeria has debunked reports from major news agencies in the country about giving a two-week ultimatum to the Minister of Education, Hon. Adamu Adamu to find a permanent solution to the lingering ASUU strike.
In a statement released on the verified Twitter handle of the federal government @NigeriaGov and signed by the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity Garba Shehu, the federal government debunked reports that the strike will be called off in two weeks and further explained that there was no directive from the President to the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment to hand off negotiations with the striking lecturers.
The full text of the Press Statement.
ON UNIVERSITY STRIKES, @NigeriaGov IS READY FOR BUSINESS
The outcome of the meeting held by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to end the agitations by university unions ought to be beyond spin-doctoring and conjectures.
It is a pity that almost all media houses allowed themselves to be deceived by interested sources that are not the authorized spokesmen of the government. Neither during nor after the meeting was an ultimatum given to the Minister of Education.
During the meeting, the Minister of Education requested that the Minister of Labour hands off the negotiation to allow him to lead and conclude what he had earlier started with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
And he promised that he could get an agreement within the shortest possible time, possibly two to three weeks.
In carrying out this assignment, the Minister will carry along all relevant ministries and agencies with statutory functions and duties relating to the issues involved.
The Presidency is optimistic that agreements can be reached in an even shorter period if all parties/stakeholders are not unrealistically obstinate. We appeal to the parties to work together to end the strikes.
On the part of the administration, all doors remain open for dialogue and the resolution of the issues.
We appeal to the media not to try to spread misinformation. The orchestrated media narratives seeking to present an entirely different picture, attributed to sources, in the last 24 hours are not helpful at all.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 20, 2022
Remember that ASUU had initially embarked on a 1-month warning strike which eventually got multiple extensions. The strike is currently in its 5 months, keeping students and lecturers out of the classroom. Although the had been several meetings and consultations amongst the concerned parties, they have been unable to conclude the subject of discussion which includes a review of salary structure for lecturers, payment of salary arrears, IPPIS vs UTAS, 2009 Revitalisation funds agreement among others.
