ASUU STRIKE ABOUT TO END AS CHCELLORS HAVE SERIOUS MEETING

 The Academic Staff Union of Universities' continuing strike has now lasted seven months, according to The PUNCH.

The union went on strike on February 14, 2022, as a result of what it perceived as the government's refusal to comply with certain of its demands.

The union is requesting, among other things, that the government enhance the working conditions for university lecturers, release earned allowances for lecturers, and release funding for institution revitalization.

Vice Chancellors, Provosts, and ASUU

On Wednesday, the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Pro-Chancellors of Universities met with the ASUU leadership to discuss the ongoing strike.

According to one of our reporters, the meeting was suggested by the vice-chancellors' peace team.

The PUNCH reports that the peace team includes former vice chancellors and pro chancellors, including Senator Nkechi Nwagogu, former pro chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. J.D. Amin, former vice chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, and Emeritus Professor A.O. Bamiro, former vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

The meeting was initially suggested by the peace team that was established by the committee of vice-chancellors, according to a source with knowledge of the situation who asked that his identity not be published because he was not authorised to speak to the press.

The National Universities Commission hosted the meeting, where all the concerns were discussed, including the disbursement of the Revitalization Fund, the withheld salaries, and the salary adjustments.

The insider responded, "It was not a bargaining meeting; the VCs and the Pro-chancellors are not from the government's side; to me, they merely came to offer their perspectives on the topic," when asked if the union accepted the demands.

former VCs

Former vice-chancellors applauded the Federal Government for approaching the National Industrial Court in an effort to put an end to the strike, according to a communiqué made available to The PUNCH in Abuja on Wednesday.

We are aware that the Federal Government has looked for a legal interpretation of the nature and character of the dispute as a method to end the impasse, the communiqué said in part.

"We appreciate the move as civilised and find this to be new, but both parties will steadfastly adhere by the provisions of