By Mahdi Waziri Isa
Members of Nigeria’s University Community have reason to be hopeful about the long-standing dispute between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The appointment of Yayale Mahmud Ahmed, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), as chairman of the Federal Government’s renegotiation committee is expected to bring a breath of fresh air to the stalled negotiations.
Commenting on Yayale’s appointment in an interview with Education Monitor, Professor Muhammad Kabir Aliyu, mni, the former Chairman of ASUU, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Branch, and Secretary of the 2009 FG-ASUU Negotiating Team, praised Yayale’s appointment, saying, “his experience, love for education and leadership skills makes him an excellent choice at this trying times. I am relatively optimistic that he will facilitate meaningful progress in resolving outstanding issues between ASUU and the federal government thereby strengthening Nigerian universities.”
Prof. Aliyu further stressed that “ASUU is the most patriotic Union in Nigeria. This is because the Union does not just fight for welfare of its members only, but the University system in general. Contained in the 2009 Agreement are issues of Funding, Conditions of Service, Autonomy of the University System and Other issues that were made then to begin to address the rot in the system. But gradually all that has now been eroded in the last 13 years due to the neglect and insensitivity of the federal government. Several attempts were made to address the matter but government kept on truncating the efforts. All the gains of the 2009 agreement have been lost.”
He further highlighted that, “the then Chairman of the 2009 Agreement, Deacon Gamaniel Onosode, even though sitting on behalf of the federal government, gradually understood the patriotism of ASUU and saluted the Union for alerting the nation on the decay and rot in the University System in 2009.”
Therefore, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of ABU, Ahmed has the ability to demonstrate exceptional leadership and administrative skills, which will be invaluable in navigating the complexities of the ASUU dispute in general.
The ASUU dispute has lingered for years, causing disruptions to academic calendars and negatively impacting the quality of education.
Yayale Mahmud Ahmed’s appointment is seen as a strategic move, given his background as a seasoned administrator and negotiator. With Ahmed’s committee, there is a renewed sense of optimism that the outstanding issues will be addressed.
Nigerians eagerly await tangible progress in resolving the dispute, hoping that Ahmed’s committee will bring an end to the protracted problem.As the renegotiation committee begins its work, Nigerians remain hopeful that this development will mark the beginning of a new era in university education. There is also the hope by ASUU members that, unlike the previous committees, this committee will be strong enough to make sure that it’s agreement with the Union at the end of the negotiations will be accepted and implemented by the government.