By The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said the renegotiation of its 2009 agreement with the Federal Government is progressing smoothly.
Since February 14, 2022, ASUU has been on strike, following the failure of the government to meet some its lingering demands which include funding for the revitalisation of public universities, payment of earned academic allowances, and adoption of the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a preferred payment system.
Amid the ongoing talks over resolving the issue, the union has expressed confidence that it was on the threshold of victory.
In a recent statement, the ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke applauded their members for believing in the union in spite of the hardship imposed on their families as a result of the stoppage of salaries, insisting that the striking lecturers are not beggars.
“Our cast-iron resolve has forced the government to sit down and negotiate with us. We have had five meetings with the Federal Government team and two meetings with the Minister of Education. The renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement is progressing smoothly and has reached an advanced stage,” he said.
“However, we must remain focused to the end of this struggle. UTAS (University Transparency and Accountability Solution) has been tested for the third time. So far, NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) has tested UTAS and UPS and will start testing IPPIS next week. We are undeterred by the antics of some government officials in this respect.
“We are on the threshold of victory. Let us keep faith with the union. A people united can never be defeated.”
