The federal government has resumed negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for a better University system.
This was disclosed by the Federal Government/Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) 2009 Agreement Renegotiation Committee Chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), after the duo arose from a meeting which lasted for hours on Wednesday.
According to Dr. Babalakin, “We reviewed our negotiations today, the government team and the Academic Staff Union of Universities were appropriately represented and we had very positive discussions and we actually hope we are on a good path for finalizing the negotiations.
“There were very healthy discussions on topical issues and both sides made extensive contributions for the benefit of the University system”, he said.
He however declined comments on what the negotiations were about, stating however, that ASUU’s consent has to be sought before making such comments.
“In negotiations, you have to seek the consent of the other party before you make such disclosures but we are at the stage of signing an agreement, we will be willing to tell you all the headlines and all the important issues”, he pointed out.
He further stated that both sides are determined to put an end to the issues bothering on the education system, adding that the continuous negotiations which is for the betterment of the education system will see to it that solutions happen between the fastest possible time.
Dr. Babalakin who refused to speak specifically on the issues being deliberated upon, said thus, “There are so many issues on the negotiation table, ASUU submitted a timetable and if I can speak broadly, there are over 20 issues in that timetable so it is not a singular issue, there are many issues to be discussed and they will all be discussed”.
While reacting to the press on if the federal government has met any of ASUU’s issues, he said that the government and ASUU signed an MoU which was presented to the committee, expressing belief that there is some progress, but a comprehensive one is needed.
The Committee Chair while responding to Journalists on the possibility of ASUU going on strike if its demands are not met, said, “I don’t believe it is ASUU’s objective to disrupt the educational system, I think that we will find a solution, we must remain optimistic”, he ended.
The ASUU team were however not on ground to speak on the issues and the negotiations it is making with the federal government.
