Buhari To ASUU: We Will Pay You But We Are Short Of Funds Right Now

President Muhammadu Buhari has admonished the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to factor in the difficult economic and financial situation the government has found itself in while pushing for the demands of its members.

The President assured ASUU that his administration remains committed to all promises and agreements reached with the academic union but is constrained by financial challenges.

He, therefore, urged ASUU to join in charting ways to ensure the academic programmes of the nation’s public universities are not disrupted and the students get the best form of training.

Naija News reports Buhari made this known on Tuesday while hosting members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), led by its Co-Chairs, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle.

“…They should be cognizant of the fiscal pressures that we are currently facing. Nevertheless, we remain committed to honouring our promises.

“For their part, I would like to encourage ASUU to continue to work with us towards finding resolutions to the challenges that confront us.

“My administration is committed to this engagement and dialogue, and I urge them to stay the course towards a joint resolution in the best interest of our children and nation,” he said.

It is understood that the NIREC leadership during their meeting with President Buhari had raised the issue of incessant strike actions in Nigerian universities and the negative effects it is having on the country.

Addressing their point of concern, Buhari added that some payments have been made to avert strike and collapse of the system while negotiations and dialogue continue to resolve all other pending issues including the disagreement on using the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) or the University Transparency Accountability Solutions (UTAS).

“To show our commitment, several payments have been made over the last six months, addressing several of the issues you raised – details of which the Minister of Labour and Employment can make available to you.

“Funding has also been provided for infrastructure development across several public universities and several of them have begun drawing down on this facility to improve their level of infrastructure

“Finally, and perhaps the most contentious of the issues is that regarding the decision to use either the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) or the University Transparency Accountability Solutions (UTAS).

“As you may be aware, IPPIS was introduced as a means of blocking leakages. Through IPPIS, the Federal Government was able to save over N100 billion annually from the core civil service alone. In view of the resistance from ASUU, we devised UTAS, which is now on the table.

“I have also been informed that the System Assessment Report conducted by NITDA has been shared by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy to all stakeholders, including ASUU, and they are to make the appropriate modifications and report their recommendations,” he said.

Revd Ayokunle, who spoke on behalf of NIREC, said the body had earlier met with ASUU on January 10, 2022, to avert strike action adding that the ASUU leadership also outlined their grievances and demands during the meeting.