There is a strong indication that the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities strike may soon end as President Goodluck Jonathan has directed Vice President Namadi Sambo to take over negotiation with the striking teachers.
To end the strike, the Vice President Sambo on Thursday night met with the leadership of ASUU at the State House.
The meeting was attended by the President of ASUU, Nasir Isa Fagge; Dr. Dipo Fasina; and Dr. Abdullahi Sule-Kano.
Also in attendance were the Vice Chancellors of Bayero University Kano, University of Ibadan and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Profs. Abdulrasheed Abubakar, Isaac Adewole and Muhammed Hamisu Muhammed.
On the government side were the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike; the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof Julius Okojie; and aides of the Vice President.
Both sides were not forthcoming in disclosing the details about the meeting, which started late in the evening and ended at night.
However, feelers from the Presidency indicate Federal Government has presented fresh offer to the university teachers.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Fagge said he was taking a message from government to his people.
He said he would get back to the government after the consideration of the message.
Pressed further, Faggae insisted he would take the message first to the ASUU members.
Asked further if there was indeed a fresh offer from the government, the ASUU president insisted he would brief his constituency first.
However, Wike, raised hope of Nigerians.
He said students will return to campuses soon as government was prepared to resolve all contending issues.
Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, have been negotiating with the ASUU officials.
Both were not at Thursday’s meeting.
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