The Federal Government will today meet with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in a last-ditch effort to prevent a nationwide strike that could paralyze academic activities across public universities.

This was confirmed yesterday in an invitation sent to journalists by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.

“This engagement reflects the ministry’s commitment to constructive dialogue and collaboration in addressing key issues in Nigeria’s university system. Your coverage and presence will be highly valued,” the notice read.

The meeting follows protests staged on Tuesday by ASUU branches nationwide to press home their demands, which disrupted academic activities across several universities.

The lecturers’ union has consistently insisted on the government addressing long-standing issues, including:

• Conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement (2021).
• Release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries over the 2022 strike.
• Payment of salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments.
• Release of outstanding third-party deductions, such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
• Adequate funding for revitalisation of public universities.
• Halt to the proliferation of new universities by federal and state governments.

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, speaking on a television programme, accused the government of failing to act despite years of dialogue.

“We’ve been on this for such a long time and have always demonstrated patience and understanding. But it appears as if the machinery of government works extremely slowly. We have kept the schools open, but our members are being pushed into poverty,” he said.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, had earlier met with ASUU leaders to discuss salary review and other demands. He appealed for patience, stressing that government remained committed to addressing the union’s grievances.

Today’s meeting is seen as crucial in averting a fresh round of strikes, which many fear would once again disrupt Nigeria’s already fragile university calendar.