The much-anticipated meeting between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), initially slated for today, has been postponed. ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, confirmed the development to Channels Television on Monday.
The meeting, announced last Friday by the Minister of Education, was expected to address pressing issues between the government and the union. However, no reason was provided for the sudden postponement. The meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, August 28.
This postponement comes at a critical time, as public university lecturers, under ASUU’s umbrella, have been threatening a nationwide strike. This threat follows resolutions from the union’s National Executive Council meeting held on August 19, 2024, at the University of Ibadan.
ASUU’s grievances stem from the Federal Government’s alleged failure to honor the 2009 renegotiated agreement. The union’s demands include improvements in staff welfare, increased funding for universities, and a halt to the proliferation of universities across the country, which ASUU argues dilutes the quality of higher education.
The postponement of the meeting is likely to heighten tensions as stakeholders in the education sector await the outcome of the rescheduled talks on Wednesday.
