The latest report about the ongoing ASUU strike is an announcement by the Minister of Education. The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu announced that the Federal Government of Nigeria has released a sum of N16.8 billion to offset the outstanding salary arrears of Nigerian public tertiary institution lecturers.

The minister also informed newsmen at the briefing that the disbursement of the fund is currently ongoing through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to meet the requests and demands raised by ASUU and ASUP.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government and ASUU had an emergency meeting concerning the ongoing strike on Friday, February 1, 2019, after ASUU condemned the Federal Government of misinforming the public about funds which were released by TETFund.

The minister further explained that the newly released fund will be enough to get all academic union to call off the ongoing strike and as such the Federal Government expects the Unions, especially ASUU and ASUP to call off their strike this week.

The minister also explained that the Federal Government has reached agreement in the following areas: Review of Polytechnic Act; government awaits the transmittal of the amended document by the National Assembly to Mr President for his assent.

He, however, revealed that other demands which include revitalisation of polytechnics and colleges of education, renegotiation of the 2010 agreements is going to be handled in due time as the government is committed to the revitalisation of facilities in its public tertiary institutions.

He further disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the Minister of Finance to make provisions for the additional funds to complete the N30 billion for the purpose of the revitalisation of government tertiary institutions which will include polytechnics and colleges of education.

Below is an extract of Mallam Adamu Adamu’s statement;

“Also for state owned polytechnics; the National Board for Technical Education has been directed to strengthen its regulatory mechanism including developing a new template for accreditation to address observed weaknesses.

“And to ensure that proprietors of polytechnics including states and private owners meet their obligations to their staff.

“Again as a demonstration of Government’s commitment to continuous dialogue with the staff unions, the ministry will provide alternative funding for the stalled renegotiations in the polytechnics sub- sector.

“The National Board for Technical Education and the National Commission for Colleges of Education have also been directed to ensure compliance with the approved schedules of meetings with their respective Unions.’’