BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & IKENNA ASOMBA

LAGOS—There were indications yesterday, that the protracted strike by Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University, SSANU would end soon as the management of the institution and striking unions have brokered peace.

The three main issues that led to the strike by the lecturers are the implementation of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2012), as amended, which stipulates that academic staff on professorial cadre shall retire at age 70 and that principal officers shall serve for a single term of five years instead of two terms of four years each; downward review of the institution’s tuition fees regime, where new students paid as much as N348, 750 and abolition of the ‘no vacancy, no promotion’ policy allegedly adopted by management.

On the other hand, SSANU-LASU went on strike to demand for four issues on an alleged inconclusive 2011/2012 promotion exercise; outstanding 2012/2013 promotion; reversal of outrageous school fees and 65 years retirement age for non-teaching staff.

But following the management’s marathon meeting with SSANU-LASU penultimate Tuesday and another with ASUU-LASU, Tuesday, aggrieved unions may return to work, if the Governing Council and management of the university show enough sincerity to meeting their demands as resolved in their meetings.

While the Vice Chancellor Professor Obafunwa John, signed the agreement on behalf of the management, Professor Omotayo Ayo, signed on behalf of Appointment and Promotion (Academic) Committee and Dr. Kunle Idris A, signed on behalf of ASUU-LASU

Speaking to Vanguard, ASUU-LASU Chairman, Dr. Idris Adekunle said: “Presently, there are some developments, but calling-off the strike is no a unilateral decision for me. Our congress will decide. However, we are still awaiting the Governing Council’s decision on our last meeting with the management. When they finally get back to us, our congress will meet and then take a new stand. But we are optimistic that the council will be sincere and we promise the university will forge ahead.”

On his part, SSANU_LASU Chairman, Comrade Ademola Oseni said: “Though, there were new developments from our meeting with the management on July 1, but not everything has been resolved. We were asked to come up with a proposal, which we have submitted on July 8. So, we hope the management will be sincere after deliberating on our proposal.

”Therefore, when they call us for another meeting probably this week or next week, the outcome of the meeting will determine our next line of action. But we are optimistic, the issues will be resolved and we shall call off the strike.”