FG to meet VCs, pro-chancellors over ASUU strike

The federal government will, on September 6, hold a meeting with the vice-chancellors, pro-chancellors, and management of federal universities over the ongoing strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The meeting is billed to hold at the secretariat of the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja.

On Monday, ASUU announced its resolve to convert the roll-over strike it had embarked on since February to an indefinite strike.

Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU president, had said the purpose of its strike is to “save public universities”.

TheCable had earlier reported how most ASUU chapters voted that the strike, which has entered Day 196, should be extended.

According to a letter by Chris Maiyaki, deputy executive secretary of administration, NUC, the meeting is to explain steps that have been taken by the federal government as regards the strike and to review the current situation.

“As the Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of Councils and the Vice-Chancellors are quite aware the industrial action by university-based unions has led to the closure of the institutions since February 2022,” the letter reads.

“You are also aware that the non-teaching unions have suspended their industrial actions with effect from August 24, 2022, while a final decision is being awaited from ASUU.

“It has become necessary for the Governing Councils and the management of the universities to be briefed on the decisions and actions taken by the Federal Government so far to allow for a well-coordinated review of the situation including building consensus around succeeding actions.

“Consequently, I am to invite the Pro-Chancellors & Chairmen of Councils as well as Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities to a special interactive meeting with the Honourable Minister of Education on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.”