President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Biodun Ogunyemi, has denied knowledge of the N15.89 billion purportedly released by Federal Government for the payment of outstanding salaries of lecturers.
Ogunyemi’s position was in reaction to the statement credited to Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, during an interview granted in Anambra State at a Christmas/New Year celebration.
Ngige was quoted as saying that the money was released on the eve of the New Year (Monday) to the universities.
According to the ASUU president, there was no way such money released to the Union, which is not spending agency of government.
He however noted that such fund could have been released to university authorities for onward disbursement to ASUU members.
Nonetheless, “Nobody has informed us that the money has been released,” Ogunyemi told BusinessDay via a telephone interview.
On the ongoing negotiations to end the nationwide strike, he maintained that no date had been fixed to reconvene the negotiation meeting between Federal Government team and ASUU, despite assurances from the minister to meet with ASUU this New Year.
According to Ogunyemi, “No meeting was held after the last meeting where it was reported that we walked out.”
When the meeting reconvenes, Federal Government has the moral burden to justify some of the acclaimed progress made to resolve the impasse, beyond the promises made, he said.
Some of the demands of ASUU include: Waiver for the establishment of Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO); revitalisation funds for varsities and payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) for lecturers, senior staff and other workers.
On the preparation for the 2019 general elections, he confirmed that the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had proposed to meet with ASUU in respect of the forthcoming general elections and the ongoing industrial action. The meeting is scheduled for January 4, 2019, he said.
