President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, has urged the Federal Government to promote industrial harmony in universities by implementing the agreements with ASUU and sister unions in the university system.

He said industrial harmony in the system does not mean only one union is working, but that the entire system is working harmoniously together.

Piwuna made the call while speaking at the Educational Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) dialogue series held virtually.

The ASUU President said that since the signing of the agreements in January, the Federal Government had failed to touch every aspect of the agreement they agreed on.

President, SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, complained about the insincerity of purpose in the approach by the government to the negotiation with the union.

Chairman, Organising Committee, EWAN, Iyabo Lawal, noted that dialogue had shown that gaps exist between agreement and implementation, policy and payment, promise and practice.

She said students should not be made to pay for this problem, calling on parties to come to a roundtable to resolve all these pending issues so that the academic calendar can run smoothly.

Vice President, SSANU, Western zone, Dr Abdulsobur Abdulsalam, also said that the delay in payment of salaries appears to be punishment or a deliberate attempt to sabotage the union.

He decried the Federal Government’s lack of respect for collective bargaining, stating that the union has been in negotiation with the government for about two years.

EWAN President, Mojeed Alabi, said the move by SSANU and NASU to go on strike is not unexpected, noting that the signs were very visible for more than five months.

Alabi said if there are challenges on the part of the government, there should be prompt feedback to other parties.

Chairman, Organising Committee, EWAN, Iyabo Lawal, noted that dialogue had shown that gaps exist between agreement and implementation, policy and payment, promise and practice.

She said Nigerian students cannot be made to pay for this problem, calling on parties to come to a roundtable to resolve all these pending issues so that the academic calendar can run smoothly.