ASUU Strike: Federal Government Inaugurates Renegotiation Team
BY TEMI OHAKWE, ABUJA – The Federal Government on Wednesday inaugurated a team for the re-negotiation of the 2009 Agreements reached between the government, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other University based Unions.
While inaugurating the team in Abuja, the Minister of Edeucation, Malam Adamu Adamu, said the Federal Government team is to take another look at the 2009 Agreements reached with the university-based Unions and work with each Union towards making far-reaching recommendations that would reposition the Nigerian university system.
Adamu said that the government’s Team which is led by Professor Emeritus Munzali M. Jibril, is categorised into substantive members, advisers and observers.
The members of the team include Amb. Nimota Nihinola Akanbi, Pro-Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Professor Emeritus Nimi Briggs, Pro-Chancellor, Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ikwo, Arch. Lawrence P. Ngbale ,Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Wukari, Professor Femi Odekunle, Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna.
Others are Senator Nkechi Nworgu, who is the Pro-Chancellor, University of Calabar, Professor Shehu Usman Abdullahi – Pro-Chancellor, Kaduna State University and Senator (Major General retd) Mamman Magoro – Pro-Chancellor, Kebbi State University.
The terms of reference of the newly inaugurated team include, the re-negotiation of the residual issues in the 2009 Agreements between the Federal Government and the university-based unions, towards a workable and implementable agreement between both parties, such that will facilitate a repositioning of Nigerian universities for greater responsibilities in national development.
The team is also to propose and prescribe short, medium and long-term measures for the sustainable funding and management of Federal universities, in order to restore lasting peace, stability, harmony and progress in the Nigerian University System.
The team is also to make any other recommendations as may be necessary to ensure the realistic implementation of future agreements by all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the representatives of the National Universities Commission, TETFUND, Association of Bursars of Nigerian Universities, Federal Ministry of Labour, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Finance and Budget Planning, Federal Ministry of Justice, Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, and Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation are to serve in Advisory capacity.
