The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has finally suspended the long lingering industrial action which commenced since November last year. The Union has directed lecturers to immediately resume duty on 12th February.
The suspension of the strike was announced on Thursday evening after a meeting which was held between the ASUU and the federal government delegation lead by the Minister of labour, Chris Ngige.
The ASUU delegation lead by Abiodun Ogunyemi suspended the strike after signing a memorandum of understanding with the government delegation.
The minister had earlier revealed that the government had resolved the eight contentious issues that lead to the industrial action. He said some of the issues have been implemented.
The minister disclosed that the ASUU has agreed with the government position to release N25 billion for the revitalization of the public universities.
He revealed the team who are to conduct physical visitation has been constituted and will swing into action on March, 2nd.
According to Ogunyemi, the reason for suspending the strike while reading from his prepared speech detailing the agreement the union reached with the federal government.
He highlighted eight items enclosed in the agreement signed by the two parties.
In his words, Mr, Ogunyemi said “In addition to the N20 billion for 2018, the sum of N25 billion only would be released by April/May 2019, subsequently, the government would resume full implementation of the MoU of 2013,”.
The question that has remained on lips of many Nigerians is: Why does ASUU always like embarking on strike action and paralyses all activities in the universities?
However, ASUU is of the opinion that if academics fail to fight the cause of university education, the fate that befell public primary and secondary schools would soon become the extended problem of the public university system in Nigeria.
Finally, ASUU commended the understanding and support displayed by patriotic Nigerian students and their parents throughout the strike period. We equally appreciate the comradely support from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), represented by the newly re-elected President, Comrade Ayuba Waba, who has stood by us throughout the struggle.