President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to further consult with relevant stakeholders to end the protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The president stated this when he met with the Chairman and select members of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities on Friday in Abuja.

He said that without necessarily going back on what was already established policy, “I will make further consultations, and I’ll get back to you.”

Professor Nimi Briggs led the Pro-Chancellors to meet with the Buhari regime.

Mr Briggs said that despite the protracted industrial action, “the future of the 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, first in the history of the school.

He commended the Buhari regime for concessions already made to the lecturers, including the offer to raise salaries by 23.5 per cent across board, and 35 per cent for Professors.

He, however, asked for “further inching up of the salary, in view of the economic situation of the country,” and the reconsideration of the ‘No-Work, No-Pay’ stance of the regime.

They Pro-Chancellors promised that lecturers would make up for time lost as soon as an amicable situation was reached, and schools reopened.

Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Opiah, said “ASUU has remained adamant,” despite all the concessions made by the Buhari regime to end the strike.

(NAN)