Buhari Gives Adamu 2-weeks Ultimatum to Resolve ASUU strike

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, to ensure that the ongoing strike by university-based unions is resolved within two weeks.

The President gave the directive on Tuesday after receiving briefings from relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in negotiations with the striking unions.

Background of the Strike

It would be recalled that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced a one-month warning strike on February 14.

Following ASUU’s action, three other university-based unions also withdrew their services, citing the Federal Government’s inability to meet their demands. The unions are:

• Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)

• Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied and Educational Institutions (NASU)

• National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT)

The prolonged industrial action has continued to disrupt academic activities across federal universities in the country.

Buhari Summons Emergency Meeting

President Buhari summoned the meeting to receive a comprehensive update from the government negotiating team on why the strike had persisted for so long.

After listening to briefings from the relevant MDAs, the President ordered the Minister of Education to resolve the impasse with the unions within two weeks and report back to him immediately after.

Key Directives from the President

According to sources at the meeting, President Buhari further directed that:

• The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, must be involved in all meetings aimed at resolving the crisis.

• The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, should also be part of the negotiation team interfacing with the striking unions.

The sources added that the President commended Senator Chris Ngige for his efforts so far in handling the negotiations between the Federal Government and the unions.

Officials Present at the Meeting

Those present at the meeting include:

• Mallam Adamu Adamu – Minister of Education

• Dr. Zainab Ahmed – Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning

• Senator Chris Ngige – Minister of Labour and Employment

• Isa Pantami – Minister of Communications and Digital Economy

• Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan – Head of Service of the Federation

• Ekpo Nta – Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission

• Ben Akabueze – Director-General, Budget Office

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Summary

President Buhari has now placed a two-week deadline on the Minister of Education and other relevant officials to end the ongoing strike by:

• ASUU

• SSANU

• NASU

• NAAT

and restore normal academic activities in Nigerian universities.