ASUU Strike: Varsity lecturers told to resume as FG rejects NLC ultimatum

The Federal Government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, to suspend ongoing strike.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige said this on Thursday in Abuja, while also faulting the Nigeria Labour Congress’ over its ultimatum.

The labour union had called for a High-Powered Panel made up of members with requisite mandates to resolve the strike issues within 21 days.

According to Ngige, the Federal Government had already set up its own high-powered team, comprising his Chief of Staff, the Ministers of Labour, Education, Finance, Communication and Digital Economy.

He stated that the Federal Government cannot pay 200 per cent increased salary to university workers as proposed by the former renegotiation committee headed by Prof. Jubril Munzali.

Ngige explained that, “There is no point giving you percentages on paper that nobody can pay.

“Munzali worked out a percentage that placed the university workers on about 200 per cent pay rise. The Federal Government through the Education Ministry said they cannot pay.

“The Ministry of Finance said they cannot pay. They came to me and I said nothing is wrong with renegotiation because even if a Collective Bargaining Agreement is signed, it could be renegotiated.

“The document produced by Munzali was not signed by both ASUU and the Federal Government. It is a proposal. Manzali’s committee had elapsed.

“The Education Ministry didn’t act as I wanted. The Minister was away but his lieutenants didn’t do anything for five months, contrary to my expectations.

“The minister has set up another committee headed by Prof. Nimi Briggs. They have been working and I have given them six weeks to come up with a proposal.”