The federal government has pledged to release the sum of  N220 billion naira before for the revitalization of federal universities across the country.

The understanding was reached at the just concluded reconciliation meeting between the government and officials of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The decision was part of government’s efforts is‎ to honour the agreement government had with ASUU in 2009.

‎After over eight hours of negotiation between the two union, ‎minister of labour and productivity, Chris Ngige, told journalists that government resolved to release the sum of N220 billion in the next three weeks to cater for infrastructure need of federal universities across the country. 

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Ngige also said the closed-door meeting discussed how to set up the National Universities Pension Commission which is part of the demands of the ASUU.

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ASUU President, Biodun Ogunyemi, ‎expressed optimism that the industrial action would be called off if the government showed commitment to address the concerns raised.‎

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He ‎admitted that the proposals made by the government were concrete but said ASUU representatives at the meeting would take the offers made to members for consideration.‎

This development may lead to the end of strike action embarked upon by the academic Staff union of universities.

‎‎Those who attended the closed doors meeting include minister of education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, officials of the incomes, salaries and wages commission, ‎the senior special assistance to the president on National Assembly matters, the NLC president.

Report by Nnabuchi Nnabuchi