The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) met again on Wednesday to discuss the payment platform that would be used in disbursing salary arrears and the N30BN allowances of lecturers.
The previously held meeting last week did not reach an agreement as ASUU rejected the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS) system. They rather stated that that they would prefer the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).
Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, the National President who led the ASUU delegation stood his ground, disclosing that ASUU still insists that they would not enroll on the government salary platform.
Mr. Charles Akpan, the spokesman, Ministry of Labour and Employment, stated that the meeting would be adjourned till Monday to afford union leaders the opportunity to discuss the issue with their members and take a decision.
Both parties are expected to meet on Monday to conclude on the platform for the disbursement of the funds pledged by the FG.
The government has agreed to pay N40bn, which is the pending Earned Academic Allowance of the university teachers which ought to have been paid in November 2019. N30bn would be paid on or before November 6, while the balance (N10bn) would be spread equally over two tranches to be paid in May 2021 and February 2022.
Both parties also agreed to the planned release of N30BN for the revitalization of the education sector.
The government has accepted to pay N20bn as funding for the revitalization of public universities by January 2021 and also seek for sources of alternative and additional funding of the university system, amongst others.
