In an effort to proffer solution to the protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), President Muhammadu Buhari has met with the Chairman and selected members of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities.
The President in the meeting on Friday promised to engage in further consultations with relevant stakeholders to end the strike.
The Pro-Chancellors who were led to the meeting by Professor Nimi Briggs, said they had come to meet with the President in three capacities: As President and Commander-in-Chief, as father of the nation, and as Visitor to the federal universities.
Professor Briggs added that despite the pall cast by more than seven months of industrial action; the future of university system in the country is good, citing as example the recent listing of the University of Ibadan among the first 1,000 universities in the world, a development occurring for the first time.
He commended Federal Government for concessions already made to the striking lecturers, including the offer to raise salaries by 23.5% across board, and 35% for Professors. He, however, asked for further inching up of the salary, in view of the economic situation of the country.
The Pro-Chancellors also asked for a reconsideration of the No-Work, No-Pay stance of government, promising that lecturers would make up for time lost as soon as an amicable situation was reached, and schools reopened.
