END TO CURRENT ASUU
STRIKE MAY BE IN SIGHT AN UPDATE ON ONGOING ASUU NEGOTIATIONS FOLLOWING TWO
RECENT MEETINGS WITH VICE- PRESIDENT NAMADI SAMBO October 16, 2013
From the
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
Following two meetings (on Thursday 19th Sept
2013 and Friday 11th Oct 2013) of representatives of the AVCNU (Association of
Vice-Chancellor s of Nigerian Universities, led by CVC Chairman, Prof. Hamisu
of ATBU) and ASUU Representatives (led by its President, Dr. N. Fagge) with the
Vice- President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc. N. Sambo, Minister of
Education Barr. N. Wike and others, all Vice-Chancellors have been urged to
inform and enlighten our academic and other staff on the following developments
so that we can ensure a return to normalcy in our universities within the
shortest possible time
1. Earned Allowances: The N30 billion already released
will now be increased to N40 billion, and should be regarded only as first
installment, and not a once-and-for-all payment. Government will top it up
with further releases once universities are through with the disbursement of
this new figure of N40 million, so Vice-Chancellor s are urged to expedite this
disbursement within the shortest possible time using guiding templates that
have been sent by the CVC.
2. NEEDS Assessment Capital Money: Government was
cognizant and mindful of the ability of Universities to effectively/
efficiently utilize the N100 billion fund immediately, hence that figure.
However, in addition to this N100 billion dedicated and already made available
for 2013, N200 billion (increased from N150 billion previously agreed) will now
be earmarked in the 2014 Budget as well as each of the following three-four
years until the Universities are brought to world-class standard.
3. Project
Prioritization: Universities will now be allowed to determine their priorities
and not be “rail-roaded” into implementing a pre- determined set of projects
with respect to the NEEDS assessment. Decisions are not to be centralized.
4.
TETFund Intervention: Government assured that the operations of the TETFund
will not be impaired, and that the regular TETFund intervention disbursement to
Universities will continue, unaffected. So the NEEDS assessment capital outlays
are in addition to regular TETFund intervention.
5. Project Monitoring: A new
Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) for the NEEDS Assessment intervention
for universities has been set up to take over from the Suswan Committee. The
new one is under the Federal Ministry of Education and chaired by the Honorable
Minister of Education. In addition, to build confidence and ensure faithful
implementation and prevent any relapse as before, the Vice President will meet
quarterly with the IMC to monitor progress.
6. Blueprint: ASUU was mandated to
submit a blue print for revitalizing the Universities to the Vice President.
7.
Official Agreement Document: A signed document would be issued very soon to
itemize the full issues on which this present consensus outlined here, brokered
by AVCNU, has been reached.
8. An Appeal to Call Off Strike: The Vice-
President Sambo appealed to ASUU to call off the strike and apologized for the
“take- it-or-leave-it” comments credited to the Hon Minister of Finance. All
other parties present at the meetings also prevailed on the ASUU leadership to
consult objectively with its members to get them to agree with what is now on
the table and to call off the strike as soon as possible after the Sallah break
of Tuesday/ Wednesday October 15/16 2013.
9. ASUU President Responds: At both
meetings, the President of ASUU thanked the VP for taking over negotiations and
promised to consult with his ASUU Constituency. We keep our fingers firmly
crossed, as we await both the official consensus agreement document and full
ASUU reaction. Statesmanship on all sides is called for at this point in time.
Thank you.
Prof. Mobolaji E. Aluko
Vice-Chancellor Federal University Otuoke
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