AN UPDATE ON ONGOING ASUU NEGOTIATIONS FOLLOWING TWO RECENT MEETINGS WITH VICE-PRESIDENT NAMADI SAMBO

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Following two meetings (on Thursday 19th
Sept 2013 and Friday 11th Oct 2013) of
representatives of the AVCNU (Association
of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian
Universities, led by CVC Chairman, Prof.
Hamisu of ATBU) and ASUU Representatives
(led by its President, Dr. N. Fagge) with
the Vice-President of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, Arc. N. Sambo, Minister of
Education Barr. N. Wike and others, all
Vice-Chancellors have been urged to inform
and enlighten our academic and other
staff on the following developments so
that we can ensure a return to normalcy in
our universities within the shortest possible
time

1. Earned Allowances: The N30 billion
already released will now be increased to
N40 billion, and should be regarded only as
first installment, and not a once-and-for-all payment. Government will top it up
with further releases once universities are
through with the disbursement of this new
figure of N40 million, so Vice-Chancellors
are urged to expedite this disbursement
within the shortest possible time using
guiding templates that have been sent by
the CVC.

2. NEEDS Assessment Capital Money:
Government was cognizant and mindful of
the ability of Universities to effectively/efficiently utilize the N100 billion fund
immediately, hence that figure. However,
in addition to this N100 billion dedicated
and already made available for 2013, N200
billion (increased from N150 billion
previously agreed) will now be earmarked
in the 2014 Budget as well as each of the
following three-four years until the
Universities are brought to world-class
standard.

3. Project Prioritization: Universities will
now be allowed to determine their
priorities and not be “rail-roaded” into
implementing a pre-determined set of
projects with respect to the NEEDS
assessment. Decisions are not to be
centralized.

4. TETFund Intervention: Government
assured that the operations of the TETFund
will not be impaired, and that the regular
TETFund intervention disbursement to
Universities will continue, unaffected. So
the NEEDS assessment capital outlays are
in addition to regular TETFund
intervention.

5. Project Monitoring: A new
Implementation Monitoring Committee
(IMC) for the NEEDS Assessment
intervention for universities has been set up
to take over from the Suswan Committee.
The new one is under the Federal Ministry
of Education and chaired by the Honorable
Minister of Education. In addition, to build
confidence and ensure faithful
implementation and prevent any relapse as
before, the Vice President will meet
quarterly with the IMC to monitor
progress.

6. Blueprint: ASUU was mandated to
submit a blue print for revitalizing the
Universities to the Vice President.

7. Official Agreement Document: A signed
document would be issued very soon to
itemize the full issues on which this present
consensus outlined here, brokered by
AVCNU, has been reached.

8. An Appeal to Call Off Strike: The Vice-President Sambo appealed to ASUU to call
off the strike and apologized for the
"take-it-or-leave-it" comments credited
to the Hon Minister of Finance. All other
parties present at the meetings also
prevailed on the ASUU leadership to consult
objectively with its members to get them
to agree with what is now on the table and
to call off the strike as soon as possible
after the Sallah break of Tuesday/Wednesday October 15/16 2013.

9. ASUU President Responds: At both
meetings, the President of ASUU thanked
the VP for taking over negotiations and
promised to consult with his ASUU
Constituency.

We keep our fingers firmly crossed, as we
await both the official consensus
agreement document and full ASUU
reaction. Statesmanship on all sides is
called for at this point in time.

Thank you.

Prof. Mobolaji E. Aluko

Vice-Chancellor

Federal University Otuoke