The meeting was attended for the first time by the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was part of the government delegation that included the Minster of Education, Ruqayyatu Rufai; Minister of Labour, Emeka Nwogu; and the Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam.
The lecturers’ delegation was led by the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Nasiru Fagge.
While the ASUU delegation refused to address journalists after the meeting, Mr. Suswam told journalists that the meeting was fruitful even though the contending issues had not been resolved.
He mentioned the attendance of Ms. Okonjo-Iweala and other ministers and lawmakers as a sign that the government was deeply interested in resolving the strike.
Mr. Suswam said despite that no agreement was reached at the meeting, it was not ‘deadlocked.’ He expressed optimism that the contending issues would be resolved on or before Monday next week when the next meeting between both parties would be held.
ASUU has vowed not to call off the seven weeks old strike until the government implements the 2009 agreement it had with the lecturers, while the government said it wants some part of the agreement renegotiated.
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It is only in a country like Nigeria they re-negotiate what the call an 'agreement'. Why the agreement in the first place? Is it not for mutual benefit of both parties concern and importantly development of education sector in the country? That why we don't move forward in this country!
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