Nigerian university strike set for talks after 45 days

Academic activities at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) are poised to resume following a 45-day strike, as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) prepares for a meeting with the state government. The strike has significantly disrupted the university's academic calendar.

Dr. Patrick Ushie, the ASUU chapter chairman, confirmed that the union received an invitation from a technical committee established by the government to address the ongoing dispute. The committee requested detailed documentation of the union's grievances, which were submitted on Tuesday in anticipation of the upcoming meeting.

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These documents were submitted today (Tuesday), and we are preparing for the meeting before the week runs out. I am sure the documents are meant to prepare them for the planned meeting.

"These documents were submitted today (Tuesday), and we are preparing for the meeting before the week runs out. I am sure the documents are meant to prepare them for the planned meeting," Ushie stated in an interview with Vanguard. He expressed hope that the strike could be suspended after the meeting, echoing the government's wishes, but stressed that the union remains firm on its demands.

The ASUU-UNICROSS chapter initiated an indefinite strike on May 19, citing 11 grievances. These concerns primarily revolve around welfare issues and the non-implementation of agreements, including substantial arrears in unpaid salaries, wage award payments, and unremitted check-off dues totaling N11.9 million.

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It is all we pray and hope for, just like them.