ASUU May Call Off 4-month Strike Soon As FG Finally Bow to Demands

An Update on Ongoing ASUU Negotiations

Following the publication of an 'INTERNAL RELEASE' to ALL staff of the Federal University, Otuoke from the Office of the school's Vice-Chancellor; Study & Scholarships became privy to the latest update on the current ongoing ASUU strike.

The news release published on the school's website on October 14, 2013 details agreements and resolutions taken during negotiations at two meetings of Representatives of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) AND Representatives of ASUU with the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc. N. Sambo, Minister of Education Barr. N. Wike and others. Please read the release below...

Introduction
Following two meetings (on Thursday 19th Sept 2013 and Friday 11th Oct 2013) of representatives of the AVCNU (Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, led by CVC Chairman, Prof. Hamisu of ATBU) and ASUU Representatives (led by its President, Dr. 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 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-Chancellors 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 to be 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. IMC: 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 from all sides is called for at this point in time.

Prof. Mobolaji E. Aluko
Vice-Chancellor
Federal University Otuoke

------------- End of 'INTERNAL RELEASE' circular---------------------

Source: Federal University, Otuoke

WHAT THIS MEANS: FG To Spend N200b Each For Four Years To Bring Nigerian Universities Up To World Standard

The circular above by Prof. Mobolaji E. Aluko, V-C of Federal University Otuoke, indicates that the end of the ongoing ASUU strike may be in sight because the Federal Government has committed to spending N200 billion in the 2014 budget on the universities as well as on each of the next three-four years until the universities are brought to world-class standard. This is in addition to the N100 billion dedicated and already made available for 2013.

The government has also increased to N40 billion as a first installment, funds for the payment of earned allowances to the striking lecturers, an improvement from the N30 billion previously released.

On the earned allowances, the circular reads “Government will top it up with further releases once universities are through with the disbursement of this new figure of N40 million, so Vice-Chancellors are urged to expedite this disbursement within the shortest possible time using guiding templates that have been sent by the CVC,”.

Professor Aluko said the development followed meetings on September 19 and Oct 11 of representatives of the Association of Vice-Chancellors 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. Namadi. Sambo, Minister of Education Barr. N. Wike and others.

Of great interest to stakeholders, Vice-President Sambo, appealing to ASUU to call off the strike, apologized for the "take-it-or-leave-it" comments credited to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the onset of the strike. The Minister did not seem to have been involved in either meeting, perhaps as the government’s way of soothing the feelings of the university teachers.

Other points of agreement at the meetings include the following:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Blueprint: ASUU was mandated to submit a blue print for revitalizing the Universities to the Vice President.

Prof. Aluko further stated that a signed document will soon be issued to itemize the full issues on which the consensus he had outlined here, as brokered by AVCNU, was reached.

Related: ASUU Gives Reasons Why Strike Must Continue