The Academic Staff Union of Universities is expected to consult with its local chapters across the Federation this week in the form of congresses, after which the National Executive Committee of the association will indicate whether the strike is off on Thursday.
As we reported last week, the aim of holding the congresses is for the local chapters to review government’s offer and decide whether it is suitable enough to call off the strike.
Some of the chapters consulted have indicated that they are pleased with government’s latest offer to inject N220 billion into the university system annually for the next five years.
However some others do not have faith that government will stick to the letter of its agreement.
Yet there are still strong indications that the NEC of the Union will call off the strike this week, so students can begin resuming by this weekend.
Speaking to journalists, a top official of the Union said ASUU was encouraged as President Jonathan was personally involved in the negotiations.
He said, “Members were persuaded because President Goodluck Jonathan personally met with the union. They felt since the President was involved in the negotiation this time around, the government would not say that it was arm-twisted to make the offer.
“This is the problem we are having with the 2009 agreement. By now we should be talking about a review but we are still having troubles with implementation.
“Although feelers across the zones are that we should call off the strike, we are going to put down the government offer in black and white and make it public so that nobody accuses us tomorrow of asking for too much.”
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