The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has denied plans to call off the eight-month old strike, despite rumors of it being called off last night.

Last night, social media was fueled with reports that the academic union had concluded plans to call off the strike after meeting with the Government negotiation team led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige on Friday, November 27.

The Federal Government of recent. had a meeting with ASUU at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Labour and Employment where it reportedly increased its offer for Earned Allowances EA to university based unions and funding for the revitalization of public universities from N65 billion to N70 billion

Reports last night claimed the union would call off the strike after the Federal government pledged to pay N40 billion for Earned Allowances and N30 billion for the revitalization of the university system bringing the total payment to N70 billion. It was further reported that the Government agreed to settle the salary arrears of the aggrieved lecturers before December 31. The report also noted that ASUU was expected to report the agreement to its organs and then communicate their decision to the government after which a date for the calling off of the strike would be announced.

However Vanguard revealed that the president of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, denied knowledge of any agreement to call off the strike, stressing that at the meeting, it was only agreed that union should convey Government message to their organs and get back to Government.

” I am not aware of that. All I know is that we had a meeting and we are going to report to our members. But I don’t know about suspension of strike.” Ogunyemi said

Minister of Employment, Chris Ngige, told newsmen after the meeting that he is positive that all issues relating to the strike will be resolved in its next meeting with ASUU.

“Many issues were discussed at the meeting
including salary shortfall, the payment system and revitalization of the university system. I am positive that all the issues would be resolved at our next meeting.” Ngige said