The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa said yesterday that all is being done to keep tertiary institutions running.
According to him, a holistic negotiation with various unions is ongoing and it is needless going on strike during the talks.
He urged the unions that have served strike notice to shelve their plan.
Dr. Alausa said the government was making concerted efforts to meet the demands of the unions to prevent disruption in academic activities.
But he insisted that government would not rush into any agreement that has not been properly negotiated.
Alausa, who spoke with reporters last night, pleaded with the unions to be patient as the government makes an attempt to address the contentious issues.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) have issued strike notices over unmet demands.
On August 14, ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja, told reporters after a National Executive Committee meeting of the union in Abuja, that the association would proceed on strike after 21 days over unresolved issues. The ASUP ultimatum expired last night.
Also, during its 77th General Executive Council meeting in Kano State, SSANIP also served government a 21-day notice, starting from August 27
ASUU had embarked on a one – day nationwide protest on August 26 to draw the attention of the government to its demands.
Its President, Christopher Piwuna, said yesterday that the branch chairmen, who have met, would communicate the outcome of the meeting to their members. He added that the union would make its decision known to Nigerians after the branch meetings.
However, Alausa urged the unions to shelve the strike as the government is working to address their demands.
