The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are scheduled to meet on Monday.
This meeting comes after ASUU issued a 21-day strike notice, demanding the resolution of longstanding issues affecting Nigerian universities.
The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, announced the ultimatum during a press conference at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.
He emphasized that the union's grievances, some of which date back to 1981, have yet to be addressed by the government.
"We have been having a series of conversations with the leadership of ASUU on the issues affecting the university system so that we can, together, address all their concerns," said Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, during an appearance on TVC's Beyond 100 Days program.
The government's urgency to resolve these issues is evident as Prof. Mamman confirmed that officials had already reviewed ASUU's letter and were prepared to discuss the listed concerns. "It is our hope that by Monday we will meet to discuss them," he added.
ASUU's demands include better funding for university infrastructure, fair payment practices, and the implementation of previous agreements made with the government.
The union has also declared September 10 as Victimized Lecturers’ Day, highlighting the plight of lecturers who have faced various forms of victimization.
The stakes are high, as previous strikes have severely disrupted academic calendars, affecting millions of students across the country.
The upcoming meeting aims to find a lasting solution to these recurring challenges. As the nation waits for the outcome of Monday's talks, the education sector remains on edge, hoping for a resolution that will avert another strike and bring stability to Nigerian universities.
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