The meeting between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) concluded today on a positive note, with both parties expressing optimism over the fruitful discussions held.
According to VANGUARD report, in the meeting held on Wednesday, the parties told reporters after the meeting that they would reconvene on September 6, to review progress made so far in the decisions reached.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, while addressing the media, said the meeting resolved that ASUU leaders present would take decisions reached to their members and return with feedback on September 6.
Prof. Mamman said, “We have had a very fruitful discussion. We have worked out modalities on how to make progress with them.
“So the task before us now is to work on those modalities to solving the problems.
“So we are coming back again, reconvening on the 6th of September, to report back progress, towards the resolution of the issues.
“This is basically what we have agreed on.”
On the other hand, the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said: “Actually, we have met to discuss all the issues and what they (government) have done between the last time we met and today.
“We have reviewed them and agreed that let also give the government between now and our next meeting, to see what they would have done on these issues.
“So, we are meeting again on the 6th of September.
“And hopefully, we hope that in the interest of Nigerian students and Nigeria as a country, these issues should be amicably resolved, so that we can have a very smooth academic system in the country, Nigeria.”
When asked to highlight the issues discussed and agreement reached, both parties refused to speak further.
The meeting came following recent threat by the university lecturers’ union to down tools over the alleged federal government’s failure to meet its demands.
It is aimed at preventing another nationwide strike in the nation’s public universities.
