Normalcy is gradually returning to public universities, following the suspension of the indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i has assured that henceforth, every agreement entered into by government and any of the unions would be implemented to the letter. THISDAY asked stakeholders if this promise can be taken to the bank
Reacting to last week’s suspension of the two-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i pledged that the “federal government is ready to dialogue with every union of higher institutions and even pledging to fulfil every agreement entered into with any of the unions especially the latest with ASUU.”
The agreement covers condition of service, funding, university autonomy and academic freedom, among others.
Condition of service deals with issues like salaries, earned academic allowances, non-salary conditions of service- fringe benefits (vehicle loan/car refurbishing loan, housing loan, research leave, sabbatical leave, annual leave, maternity leave, injury pension, staff schools, provision of office accommodation and facilities), pension for university academic staff and compulsory retirement age, formation of the Nigerian University Pension Fund Administrator and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
On funding, it recommended that between 2009 and 2011, all regular federal universities would require about N1.5 trillion, while each state university would require about N3.6 million per student.
It identified the source of funding to include federal government, FG assistance to states for higher education, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, transfer of landed property, patronage of universities services, fund from alumni associations and private sector contribution.
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