The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) met to review the progress made in the implementation of the MOA signed by the parties in December 2020.  

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, disclosed this in a statement on Friday by the ministry of labour spokesman, Charles Akpan, titled ‘Implementation of FG, ASUU Memorandum of Action on Course – Ngige.’

Ngige said the meeting discussed every item on the 2020 memorandum of action between the government and ASUU and the progress made so far, and reached agreements.

On the Revitalisation Fund, the minister said they considered how to streamline the outstanding payment into the national budget or into a special system fund.

He stated, “We had pockets of protest (regarding that) and we managed it. Today, we also agreed to find a way to accommodate the balance in order to pay all as and when due.

“We also looked at salaries that were not captured by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, resulting in some lecturers not having their full amount of payment since December or January 2020. We felt that such a thing should not arise. Notes were exchanged by the office of Accountant General and ASUU leadership. So, we want them to go back and cross-check.”

In the same vein, ASUU President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, said, “Put together, we want to agree that we had fruitful deliberations, and we have strong hopes that there will be a peaceful and harmonious relationship in achieving the provisions of the MOA of 2020.”