— There are indications that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) might suspend its over three-month old strike today (Friday) as most of its chapters have endorsed a two-week suspension within which the agreement between it and government would be signed.


The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the union had, Monday, mandated the various chapters to convene a meeting of their congresses to make input into the decision to suspend the strike based on the progress so far made in negotiations.

Feelers from the various universities across the country indicate that almost all the chapters were in favour of the suspension of the strike. A high-ranking ASUU source told Vanguard, yesterday, that based on the development, it was almost certain the strike would be called off at today’s meeting.

The University of Jos Chapter of ASUU at its meeting, yesterday, resolved to support the move in the belief that government would not back out of the negotiation again.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, chairman of the chapter, Dr. Timothy Namo said members expressed satisfaction with the briefing they got on the progress made so far and supported the suspension of the strike.

He, however, disclosed that members expressed apprehension that government might again renege on signing the agreement, hence the decision to suspend rather than an outright call off of the strike.

“Once beaten, twice shy. We are giving them (government) the benefit of the doubt and if government does not do what it promised within the two weeks, then the strike would resume. That is what our members are saying,” Dr. Namo said.


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