The Federal Government has established committees to address certain grey areas raised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in an ultimatum issued nearly three weeks ago. The Vice President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, disclosed this development to The Metro in Abuja.
The committees are scheduled to meet on September 11, 2024, to discuss issues related to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), and salary arrears. This decision came at the end of a closed-door meeting between ASUU leadership and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, led by Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman.
“The meeting is over; committees were set up to resolve the IPPIS/EAA and salary areas stuff. The committee is to meet on the 11th next week,” Piwuna stated in a brief message to our correspondent.
The development follows resolutions reached at ASUU’s national executive council meeting held at the University of Ibadan on August 19, 2024, where public university lecturers threatened a nationwide strike over the Federal Government’s failure to honor the 2009 renegotiated agreement. ASUU’s demands include improvements in welfare and university funding, as well as a halt to the unchecked proliferation of universities across the country.
In response to ASUU’s ultimatum, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, acknowledged that many of the issues in contention date back to 1981. He stated that invitations had been sent to ASUU leadership and other stakeholders, assuring them that their grievances were being addressed.
“Most of the issues raised by ASUU are being attended to. For instance, the issue of exit from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System has since been resolved by the President. Bureaucracy is the reason for the delay in the implementation of that directive. But by the time we meet on Monday, some of these issues will be discussed and resolved,” Mamman explained.
He further noted that each government has had to contend with ASUU strikes, but emphasized that President Bola Tinubu is committed to finding a lasting solution. “The President made a commitment during the campaign that a permanent solution would be provided this time, and he has shown that in his steps and actions,” he added.
The minister appealed to ASUU to be considerate and open-minded during negotiations, so that the interests of all parties can be properly represented.
