ASUU Ready to Resume Talks with FG — President

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has indicated its readiness to re-enter negotiations with the Federal Government to resolve the ongoing strike, noting that it has received indications from government representatives showing a willingness to restart discussions.

During an interview on Channels Television on Monday, ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna reiterated the union’s dedication to dialogue as the sole means to resolve the prolonged industrial conflict.

On Sunday, ASUU announced a comprehensive two-week strike, halting academic activities across public universities due to unmet demands that have persisted for years.

In reaction, the Federal Government contended that it had satisfied ASUU’s requests and characterized the strike as unjustifiable.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, the government threatened to implement a “no work, no pay” policy, aiming to withhold the salaries of lecturers who do not return to work.

However, the Nigeria Labor Congress condemned this threat, cautioning that such an action would undermine fair negotiations and the rights of workers to collective bargaining.

The labor organization also expressed its support for ASUU’s fight for enhanced conditions in the university system.

Despite the heated exchanges, Piwuna mentioned that the union felt encouraged by renewed communication from senior government officials attempting to find a resolution.

“Today, I got a call from Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, Chairman of the Federal Government Team, who is eager to restart discussions with us. I also received another call from the Minister of State for LaLaborwho mentioned she had been directed to step in and facilitate a resolution. ASUU is ready. We are prepared and available to address this issue once and for all,” Piwuna stated.

He further mentioned that the union anticipates official correspondence from the Implementation and Labor Monitoring Committee between Monday evening and Tuesday, explaining that ASUU would immediately respond to any invitation to negotiate.

“My current understanding is that between tonight and tomorrow, I should receive a message from the IALM Committee’s secretary regarding a meeting at a date they will provide. I will also be in contact with the Minister of Labor to hear their proposals for resolving this issue. We are prepared and willing to return to discussions,” he expressed.

Piwuna, however, underscored that initiating a strike was never an easy decision for the union but rather a last resort to advocate for demands that have been unresolved for years.

“Going on strike is not a choice we take lightly. We are ready to converse about all these matters,” he affirmed.

Responding to the recent comments from the Minister of Education claiming that all outstanding issues with the union had been addressed, Piwuna challenged the government to clarify why further meetings are being scheduled if there are no lingering matters.

He stated, “Given that the minister claims all issues have been resolved and nothing is remaining, I urge Nigerians to question the Ministry of Labor and the Federal Government’s negotiation team: if everything has been addressed, why are you returning to discussions with ASUU? Are the lecturers at LASU or Kogi State University still facing victimization? Has the 2009 agreement been fully implemented?”

The ASUU president emphasized that both academic staff and students are suffering due to the government’s inaction, highlighting that the union’s objective is to bring back stability and quality to Nigeria’s public university system through genuine dialogue.

“Nigerian students and the academic staff union of universities find themselves as victims of governmental actions. They are victims of the government’s inaction and various other issues. Therefore, we view ourselves as victims of this administration, just as students recognize themselves as victims of the current situation,” he remarked.

Thus far, multiple universities, such as Olabisi Onabanjo University, Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Tai Solarin University of Education, and the University of Ibadan, have already participated in the strike, halting lectures and other academic activities on their campuses.