Gbajabiamila Mediates Between ASUU And Nigerian Government
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, mediated the talks between the government and the ASUU.
The settlement follows ASUU’s threat to embark on another strike if the federal government does not honour its commitments.
Gbajabiamila stated: “It will be irresponsible of us, as leaders, to sit and watch things deteriorate. We have to be mindful of the unintended consequences of this planned strike action that can be far-reaching, knowing how important education is to the children and the future of our country.”
He added: “It will be the best for ASUU to please step down the impending strike since there’s no issue that has been left unresolved.”
“The renegotiation of the N200 billion tranche of the initial agreement of N1.3 trillion will commence next week Thursday with the House Committees on Education, as well as Information and Communication Technology fully involved.”
During the meeting attended by the ministers of education and finance, the two sides agreed on four points:
- Federal government will pay N30 billion agreed as part of the N220 billion tranche for the revitalisation of schools
- The government will also disburse 22 billion as N22.17 billion earned allowances from the Ministry of Education budget
- The federal government will consider adopting the UTAS payroll system provided by ASUU instead of the government’s IPPIS
- The renegotiation of the N200 billion tranche of the initial agreement of N1.3 trillion will commence next week
Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed said the government was awaiting the report of the NITDA committee before implementing the measures.