After embarking on what may be the second longest strike so far, which according to the Union, was as a result of the failure of the government to meet its lingering demands; fingers are crossed and hopes raised as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will decide on its eight-month strike since the 14th of February, 2022. This decision will be made by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at an emergency meeting that will be held on Thursday, the 13th of October, 2022.

This might have been tagged one of the usual ‘deadlock’ meetings with little or no optimism ahead of it, but ASUU has repeatedly mentioned readiness to call off the prolonged strike and there has been occurring talks between the Federal Government and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, who has also called several meetings between the Union and the Federal Government which may yield positive results.

Speaker of the House of Representatives; Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila.

Deliberations started on Wednesday by each branches of the Union over the probability to call off the strike. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana who is the lead counsel for ASUU, has also mentioned that the strike will be over in a few days.

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities have been at loggerheads since the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige dragged the lecturers to the National Industrial Court because of failed negotiations. The National Industrial Court then ordered ASUU to call off the strike on September 21, which they disagreed.

However, this progress lately, might be because of the interference of the Speaker of the House of Representatives who might just end up being the star of the show.

Three highly respected members of the ASUU NEC, spoke under anonymity to Punch Newspapers about the new development.

‘Our own branch will hold a

meeting, we have sent messages

to our members and we will be voting

; we will communicate our

decision to the national body today .’ says a chairman at a federal university in the South-East.

Another member of the NEC, also a branch chairman said, ‘I will be flying to

Abuja for the NEC meeting’

Another branch chairman also mentioned that they won’t be making details available to the press yet and when asked if the strike would be called off, he asked for everyone to calm down.

Suspension Or Continuation? ASUU Set To Decide On Strike Today

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