The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated a 53-member committee to re-negotiate the 2009 agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other staff unions in universities.
The committee, chaired by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Pro-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, has three months to submit proposed draft agreements to the government.
While inaugurating the committee in Abuja, Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, charged the members to approach the assignment with the seriousness and urgency it deserves.
The Minister particularly urged the reconstituted committee to intensify efforts to conclude the assignment and produce realistic, workable agreements that would holistically address the challenges facing the Nigerian University System and reposition it to effectively contribute to national development.
Speaking in light of ASUU’s recent strike ultimatum, Mamman emphasised the importance of the task, especially in maintaining relative peace and harmony on university campuses.
“In the composition of this important committee, we have the chairman and members who are exceptionally experienced in both university and other matters,” the Minister said.
“There are officials appointed from other relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to serve as advisers or observers on the committee, who will bring in peculiar information and make the work transparent,” Mamman added.
“You may recall that the re-negotiation of the 2009 agreements between the Federal Government and the university-based staff unions (ASUU, NAAT, SSANU, and NASU) commenced on Monday, 13th February 2017,” said Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, on committee’s inauguration in Abuja.
“Regrettably, this has lingered for this long due to a number of unforeseen circumstances,” Mamman acknowledged. “However, it is important to state that the immediate past leadership of the Renegotiation Committee, under Professor Nimi Briggs, produced a draft report with significant areas covered and agreed on, which would serve as a springboard for going forward to conclude the exercise.”
The Minister highlighted that the shared goal of all stakeholders within the Nigerian University System (NUS), and the nation at large, is to conclude the re-negotiation within the shortest possible period.
“Therefore, I wish to specially appeal to this reconstituted committee to double its effort towards concluding the assignment and producing a realistic and workable agreement that would holistically tackle the challenges confronting the NUS and reposition it to effectively play its very important role in national development.”
The Minister outlined the committee’s Terms of Reference, stating: “The committee, which is expected to review the draft proposed agreements with the various university-based unions, has the following Terms of Reference: Liaise and consult with relevant stakeholders to guide the position of the Federal Government on the issues in the draft proposed FGN/University-based Unions Renegotiated Agreements.”
“Renegotiate in realistic and workable terms the 2009 Agreement with other University-based Unions and renegotiate and recommend any other issue the Committee deems relevant to reposition the NUS for global competitiveness; and submit proposed draft agreements within three (3) months from the date of inauguration,” he stated.
The Minister assured the committee of the Federal Government’s support and cooperation in the course of the important national assignment.
In addition, he urged the Committee to be further guided by the Acting Executive Secretary, NUC going forward on matters of the Renegotiation exercise.
The committee, chaired by Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, Pro-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, includes prominent members such as Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso, Senator Professor Nora Daduut, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, Professor Ignatius Onimao, Senator Joshua Lidani, and Professor Ayodeji Omole.
Representing the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are its President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, along with Piwuna Christopher, Sado Austen, Adejumo Adejobi, Sowande Olusiji Sunday, Okey Stella-Maris, Babayo M. Adamu, Ogunyemi Biodun, Isa Nasir Fagge, Asobie Assisi, Fashina Oladipo Sule-KANO Abdullahi, Sunmonu Hassan, Professor Suleiman D. Abdul, Alphonsus Alubo (SAN), Dr Ahmed Yakasai, Dr Victor Igbum, and Dr Member George-Genyi.
Additional ASUU members include Dr. Mohammed Aminu Aliyu, Professor Omotoye Olorode, Professor Idowu Awopetu, Professor Anthony Monye-Emina, Dr. Adesola Nassir, Peter Ozo-Eson, and Muhammed M. Usman.
For the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), the committee includes Ibeji Nwokoma (President), Sulyman Lawal A., Patrick O. Idisi, Timothy T. Afiagh, Abubakar Yusuf, Khadijat Abubakar, Aliyu A. Muktar, and Mary J. Inyang.
On the side of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), members include Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim (President), Dr. Leku Ador, Dr. Abdussobur Salaam, Comrade Isa Audu, and Comrade Cheta Azumahent.
Representing the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) are Dr Makolo Hassan, Prince Peters A. Adeyemi, Comrade Buhari Suleiman, Comrade Isiaq Odunjo, Comrade Eugenia John-Anuruo, Comrade Ruth Bamiduro Aku, Comrade Ivor M. Takor, and Comrade Damola Adelekun.
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