Today being 4th November 2020, representatives of the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities would meet again in Abuja to continue their usual meeting. This meeting will decide if schools will be reopen for tertiary Universities in the country.
However, there are indications that major decisions would be taken at the meeting which might rekindle the hope of students in public owned universities to return to school this year for continuation of academic programmes.
ASUU leadership has stood strong on their demands from the Federal Government which comprises of five major issues that led to withdrawal of their services for over six months now.
The major concern is the implementation of UTAS (University Transparency Account System), a payroll software for it's members proposed by ASUU leadership to the Federal Government, refusal to approve this payment system has lingered the ongoing strike.
ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, who confirmed the development to Daily Sun on Tuesday, explained that the meeting was the continuaton of the series of meetings they have had in the past with Government officials on the issues of dispute.
He said: “After our last meeting with Government representatives, we collectively agreed that I should return to my people to update them on the resolutions. I have been doing that since the last time we met with government.
“So, all the parties involved have agreed to return to the dialogue table on Wednesday to continue discussions and search for durable labour peace in the University system. That’s the much I can say for now.”
The ASUU chairman however refused to comment if the strike will be called off today.
He said “just wait till the end of the meeting on Wednesday. That’s only when I can confidently and authoritatively say something in that regard.”
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