Ezekwesili urges ASUU, FG to return to negotiating table

Former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has appealed to Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government to return to the negotiating table.

Ezekwesili made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday.

She noted that no matter the disagreement; dialogue and negotiation were the best way to go, in the overall interest of the students and the nation.

The former minister said that urgent agreement by both parties would help to protect the current academic calendar.

“Concerning the strike, what is urgent now is for the Federal Government and ASUU to return to the negotiating table.

“And for both parties to work on the basis of analysis on how the problem can be solved and both parties build a sense of solving the problem.

“I know that this negotiation will definitely lead to an understanding that will produce a better outcome. This is important, than not negotiating at all,’’ Ezekwesili said.

ASUU on Monday, Aug. 14 officially announced the commencement of its nationwide industrial actions at a news conference held in Abuja.

The ASUU is striking over Federal Government’s non-implementation of 2009 agreement with the union.