SAN FRANCISCO, January 7, (THEWILL) – The federal government and striking public university teachers have reached an agreement that could end their protracted dispute over wages and funding of universities.
The national president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Biodun Ogunyemi, hinted the development after Monday’s meeting with government representatives. He said the executive committee of the union will take a decision based on recent developments regarding funding.
However, the minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige, was more forthcoming when he said an agreement had been reached between the parties. Ngige, who spoke after the meeting said the accountant general and the ministry of finance have confirmed with evidence that N15.4 billion had been released to cover funding in public universities and that President Muhammadu Buhari also approved N20 billion to cover outstanding arrears of the 2009 to 2012 audit verified earnings in the universities.
Nigeria’s university teachers declared a strike in November accusing the federal government of reneging on the terms of a previous agreement.
