Varsity Unions: FG Renegotiation Committee Sitting Ends Today

The university unions and Federal Government renegotiation committee sitting will end today.

According to report, the Federal Government on March 7, 2022, inaugurated a seven-person committee tasked with the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the other three unions including, The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and The National Association of Academic Technologists.

The committee which was chaired by Pro-Chancellor, Alex Ekweme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs was given three months to conclude the renegotiation with ASUU and other unions.

According to ASUU and SSANU National Presidents, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke and Mr Mohammed Ibrahim respectively, the Briggs committee has been meeting with the various unions since May 2022 to renegotiate their agreements.

Osodeke said ‘‘There is progress but it depends on the government side. We had a fairly good meeting we are still trying to resolve the issues.

“Until we get the final report from the government.  We are trying to work in the same direction. They are also testing UTAS.’’

It is believed that the committee would submit its report to the FG this week or they could be given an extension.

The Committee, which is expected to review the draft proposed FGN/ASUU Agreement, has the following Terms of Reference, liaise and consult with relevant stakeholders to finalize the position of the Federal Government on the issues in the draft proposed FGN/ASUU Renegotiated Agreement; renegotiate in realistic and workable terms the 2009 Agreements with other University-Based Unions; negotiate and recommend any other issue the Committee deems relevant to reposition the NUC for global competitiveness; submit proposed draft agreements within three months from the date of inauguration.

Likewise, all the unions are presently on strike over unmet demands of the 2009 agreements with the unions.

PUNCH/ Taiwo Akinola