ASUU Will End Strike Before January 15 – Chris Ngige

President Muhammadu Buhari-led government on Tuesday disclosed that the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities would soon come to an end.

This is coming after the Federal Government promised to pay part of the arrears of salaries to the university lecturers in line with the agreement reached with the union.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, while speaking after the meeting with ASUU noted that the strike would be called off before January 15.

Ngige while referring to the ultimatum issued by some students stated that the strike would soon be called off, however, he has not received any letter from the students threatening to embark on protests if the strike was not called off.

Ngige said, “The government would disappoint all those wishing for the protests as all the matters in dispute must have been resolved by January 15.”

“Those who want to use the #EndASUU protest to destroy public and private property or lecturers’ homes will be disappointed.”

“I am optimistic that the meeting will produce the final result that will make everybody happy.”

The Minister further stated that he has received confirmation from the federal government that most of the issues have been attended to.

“We are hopeful that ASUU will then take the report of what we achieved today to their members. We allow social dialogue in line with ILO conventions for all employers and employee, to guide this meeting,” he stated.

The ASUU President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, said they sympathised with their students who are also their children, adding that “no amount of sacrifice would be too much to get the matter resolved as long as the government is consistent with its commitments”.

He added that only the National Executive Committee of ASUU could announce the suspension of the strike.