The university union’s renegotiation with the Federal Government committee sitting will end today.
Newsglobal reported that the Federal Government had inaugurated a seven-person committee tasked with the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the other three unions including, The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and The National Association of Academic Technologists.
ASUU and SSANU national presidents, Said that the Briggs committee has been meeting with the various unions since May 2022 to renegotiate their agreements.
Newsglobal gathered from a source ‘‘There is progress but it depends on the government side. We had a fairly good meeting we are still trying to resolve the issues.
“Until we get the final report from the government. We are trying to work in the same direction. They are also testing UTAS.’’
It is believed that the committee would submit its report to the FG this week or they could be given an extension.
The Committee, which is expected to review the draft proposed FGN/ASUU Agreement, has the following Terms of Reference, liaise and consult with relevant stakeholders to finalise the position of the Federal Government to the issues in the draft proposed FGN/ASUU Renegotiated Agreement; renegotiate in realistic and workable terms the 2009 Agreements with other University-Based Unions; negotiate and recommend any other issue the Committee deems relevant to reposition the NUC for global competitiveness; and submit proposed draft agreements within three months from the date of inauguration.
All other unions are presently on strike over unmet demands of the 2009 agreements with the unions.
ASUU had commenced its ongoing strike on February 14, 2022, as the Federal Government failed to release funds for universities, renegotiate of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, release earned allowances for university lecturers, and deploy University Transparency and Accountability Solution.
SSANU’s strike started also with a warning strike and its reported to have been extended by a month.
Members of the Briggs committee are Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Wukari, Arc. Lawrence Patrick Ngbale, who represents North East; Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Prof. Funmi Togunu-Bickersteth, representing South West and Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja, Senator Chris Adighije, representing South East.
Also on the team are Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Olu Obafemi from North-Central; Pro-Chancellor, Kano State University of Science & Technology, Prof. Zubairu Iliyasu, representing North West; and Pro-Chancellor, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Mathew Seiyefa from South-South.
SKJ