No deal: ASUU rejects FG’s N200 billion offer, to continue with strike

The Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the offer of N200 billion by the Federal Government. The government had earlier offered N130 to the union in order to end the ongoing strike, the offer was also increased to N150 billion, all of which ASUU rejected, insisting that government must implement the 2009 agreement. The union clarified that going by the 2009 agreement, government is supposed to have injected N500 billion by end of 2013, with another N500 billion by 2014. It said the N100 billion which the government had earlier promised to give the union was supposed to have been paid in 2012. It said if the strike continues to 2014, the money will then increase to N900 billion. Speaking to Leadership Sunday, Nassarawa State University Keffi (NSUK) branch chairman of the union, Dr. Thephilus Lagithe said the actual amount in the 2009 agreement is N1.3 trillion to be paid over a period of four years. He said, “Recently, they called us and said instead of the 100 billion, we are giving you N150 and recently they said from that 150 billion, they are going to make it 200 billion. But these are just promises. Speaking further, he said, “last year, they were supposed to inject N100 billion and this year N400 billion. Then next year, N500 billion. But from all indication, the government is not even serious about injecting money into the education sector. He said if government implements the 2009 agreement, ASUU will not have any reason in the future to embark on strike. He blamed the incessant strike on cosmetic approach.