By Babajide Okeowo
Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige has assured Nigerians that academic activities in public varsities will resume next month.
This is coming ahead of the resumption of discussions between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU today.
Ngige expressed the hope that there will be a breakthrough in discussions in today’s meeting with the lecturers who have been on strike since March, adding that the government has met almost all the demands of ASUU.
He said negotiations between the ASUU leadership and the government had reached 98 per cent, adding that it remains only two per cent to be completed.
‘Both parties will be back at the negotiating table today to resume discussions on the special assignment given to both sides at the last meeting’ Ngige disclosed.
However, ASUU National President Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi said that the union would respond to the minister’s assurance tomorrow while confirming today’s meeting.
“Yes, we are meeting tomorrow {Tuesday} but I can’t speak further till Wednesday when I will be able to tell you if we will suspend the strike or not. ASUU shall respond appropriately by Wednesday, 23 December” he responded.
Recall that ASUU and the Federal Government have been deadlocked over the payment of arrears with the union insisting on the settling of the arrears of his members’ salaries before calling off the strike.
