The resumed talks between the Federal Government and the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ended on an inconclusive note on Monday as both sides stuck to their positions.

Following the presentation of ASUU's minimum demands during the last meeting, the Minister of Education, Prof. Babalola Borishade presented a six-page 'summary of positions' to the union on Monday. The meeting then adjorned to give ASUU time to study the document.

Among others, Borishade said government was committed to increasing the level of funding to federal universities, as illustrated by the 33 per cent increase in overhead grant over last year's .

The Senate was said to have, last week, approved the Appropriation Bill where education received the highest percentage of the Recurrent Budget. The breakdown shows that Education got N63,228,742,652 while the police came next with N56,269,101,515, followed by Defence with N54,575,272,206 and Health N32,648,546,213.

The Minister said the ministry has directed the National Univerisities Commission (NUC) to convey to vice-chancellors through a circular that within the laws of the University, students should be represented in the university welfare Board and other committees that handle the affairs of students.

"Students should be encouraged to take part in various aspecs of curriculum development and that they should be made to be more self assured as part of their development process. Students should also participate in the process of assessing academic staff with respect to teaching", he said.

But the National President of ASUU, Dr. Dipo Fashina, said "Government has not offered acceptable solutions to the core problems of funding, University of Ilorin UNILORIN, state universities and others."

On the vexed issue of the 44 lecturers sacked at UNILORIN, the government says it is prepared to allow the rule of law to prevail and pledges to honour the decisions of the court on the issued. It also said it had directed the NUC to secure placements for them in other universities.

ASUU however objected to this saying the lecturers ought to be reinstated first and then if found to have committed any offence, due process be followed in sanctioning them.

In this first report,, excerpts of the summary of government's presentation is as follows:

Funding of Universities:

The two Arms of the National Assembly as well as the Executive Branch of the Federal Government had agreed in principle to improve the funding of education in general and university education in particular. Consequently, Mr. President had proposed a higher percentage of the national budget to education, when compared to previous years'. Last week, Senate approved the appropriation bill where, of all the sectors, Education received the highest percentage of the recurrent budget. The breakdown shows that Education got N63,228,742,652 while the police came next with N56, 269,101,515, followed by Defence with N54, 575,272,206 and Health N32, 648,546,213.

It is not in doubt that the education sector can do with more funds since the challenges facing the sector are enormous. The critical role of the sector for poverty eradication and manpower development justifies it further for additional funds. Thus, a statement of intention to set aside 26 per cent, even 30 per cent of budgetary allocation to education cannot be faulted. It will no doubt be gladdening for all stakeholders in education if government is able to release 26 per cent of the annual budgetary appropriation to education. Yet, other sectors of Nigeria's developing economy have advanced arguments, and in many cases citing United Nations prescriptions as percentages of annual budgets. For instance a statement of intention from the stakeholders in Agriculture is for 25 per cent of the annual budget; Health (25 per cent); Social infrastructure such as roads, electricity, telecommunications, water and housing (40 per cent) and Defence (25 per cent). We already have 141 per cent!

As further show of the commitment of government to increase the level of funding to federal universities, it increased the overhead grant by 33 per cent over the figures released last year. It is further hoped that with the adoption of the August 2002 pay parade figures for the funding of personnel costs, the current problems with the full implementation of all approved allowances would be effectively addressed.

Implementation of UASS:

All vice-chancellors have confirmed receipt of the ministerial directives on the implementation of the UASS as demanded by ASUU. The effective implementation date in cases where anomalies were found to exist is January 01, 2003. Funds for the implementation have been approved for release to the universities as part of a special grant.

Allowances:

On the subject of housing/rent subsidy, government notes that allowances were not subject to negotiations in 2001 and therefore would maintain the 40 per cent housing allowance approved for the public service.

Required Funding Resources (Shortfalls and 2003 Allocation):

Government notes that the total funds sought by ASUU as various minimum demands under required resources was N415.59 billion made up of N272.1 billion for recurrent shortfalls and 2003 funding, N60.32 billion for capital shortfall and 2003 funding, N65.17 billion as restoration fund and N18billion for stabilisation fund. These were expected to be funded in 2003.

Government notes that it is its exclusive responsibility rather than that of a union, to determine the quantum of sectoral funding and the level is usually determined by the volume of revenue accruing to government.

In order to determine the immediate recurrent needs of the universities on the issue of personnel cost shortfall, a meeting of Vice-Chancellors was convened following which agreement was reached on disbursements to universities on the basis of generation and specialisation. Thus, first generation universities are to receive N250 million, second generation universities to receive N150 million while universities of technology and universities of agriculture are to receive N100 million each. The total sum of N3.78 billion has been approved by Mr. President for immediate release.

As a classical show of goodwill, government has therefore directed:

the immediate release of N3.78 billion to offset part of the shortfall in personnel cost grant to the federal university system and the cost implication of normalising the implementation of the UASS table from January 2003.

that the purported indebtedness of the universities should be verified by a combined team of NUC, Office of the Auditor-General, and Accountant-General. Verified claims would be processed for appropriation through the National Assembly; and

that the Direct Teaching and Research Fund as well as the Restoration Fund have been built into the 2003 Budget to empower university workers. Specifically, a Restoration Fund of N20 billion for the rehabilitation of abandoned academic buildings has been provided in the 2003 Budget.

As would be expected, all capital expenditure requests would be processed through the National Assembly and funded cognisant of the resources available to government.

Tuition Free Policy of Government:

Government sustains its tuition-free policy in all Federal Universities. Tuition means fee paid for teaching and does not include hostel and sundry charges. This policy is in consonance with the intrinsic plank of government to encourage Nigerians to undertake higher education and is supported with the re-introduction of Federal scholarship Scheme designed to assist deserving students to fund their non-tuition expenses.

In accordance with Government directive, NUC has set up a Monitoring Committee on this subject to ensure implicit compliance by all federal Universities. The Committee has as its Chairman, Prof. Mohammed Daniyan, former Chairman, Committee of Vice-Chancellors.

Federal Government Assistance to State Universities:

Since Proprietors of State universities get their allocations direct from the Federation Account, it is therefore not under any obligation to provide funds for projects in State Universities in the 2003 budget. The National assembly has no oversight functions on state Governments. Therefore it could not be held responsible for budgetary allocation to states. In addition, in the recent revenue mobilisation policy of government, revenue accruing to State Governments has been increased by 8% while those of the Federal Government has been decreased accordingly.

It should be noted that a few of such State universities were established for the convenient fancy of some State Governments without consulting the Federal Government.

All the above not withstanding, government would continue to process requests for assistance from State universities to relevant government Ministries/Agencies (ETF, National Virtual Library, etc). Indeed, some achievements recorded in this area include:

N80 million grant from the Education Tax Fund for capital projects (2001-2002) to State universities.

Provision of services by federal ministries such as boreholes and participation in health-related projects by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Federal Ministry of Health respectively.

Unlimited Access to latest journals and books through the National Virtual Library Project.

Education Tax Fund (ETF):

The ETF and other issues raised in the 2001 Agreement that have constitutional or legislative implications would be subject to the provisions of the enabling laws. If the Federal Government is thought to be reluctant in forwarding a new Bill for review of these extent laws to the National Assembly, individuals/corporate bodies are very free to sponsor such bills to the National Assembly.

Patronage of University Consultancy Services:

Government policy is that such consultancy services should be advertised. It should be by competitive bidding. This is the due process anywhere in the world. In retrospect, government noted that universities were selectively commissioned as consultants in the UBE classroom construction projects.

It is a fact that some university staff are holding up certificates of contractors because they are on strike. This situation is not encouraging of further patronage of university consultancy services.

Stabilisation Fund:

The stabilisation fund is meant to close funding gaps in the financing of university education so as to ensure non-disruption of the entire university system and delivery of good quality education.

In the last 3 years the number of applicants through JAMB to universities have reached 1.3 million yearly and when there have being no disruption in academic calendar, the available spaces were about 150,000. But the figure has being further reduced by the fact that most Universities have not being able to admit since academic calendar has been disrupted by strikes and hence a backlog of undergraduates are at various stages of their education.

In some cases those who have finished their final examinations almost a year ago have not being graduated because their results are yet to be compiled.

Also the bastardisation of academic certificates and the exploitation of Nigerians by the outreach stations prompted Government to regulate drastically the operations of these outreach stations. This has created a gap in the field and the resuscitation of the Open University of Nigeria to create opportunities to those who cannot be admitted into regular Universities is considered a reasonable initiative to address the problem.

The Federal Government approved the resuscitation of NOUN with an initial 18 study centres, 3 for each zone with an anticipated student enrollment of 600,000. To kick off the operations of the University, funds were mobilised from various sources locally and internationally including a loan of N600, 000.00 from the stabilisation fund. To date 24 Colleges of Education have being identified and equipped to provide practical Laboratories, support services and the renovation of Study Centres and equipment provision are being carried out.

Over 100 Course Materials have being developed and the processes of admission have being advertised. The application of a loan from the stabilisation fund for this programme and which the NUC would deduct instalmentally from source, is considered consistent with the objectives of the Fund and does not amount to a misapplication of funds. In any case, the initial capital of the stabilisation fund is N1.5 billion and to date the balance in the credit of the fund which includes the interest is N1.26 billions. The Money loaned from the fund is therefore not from the capital but from accruing interest.

Duty Free Importation of Educational Materials:

A circular has been sent to all Vice-Chancellors on the extent policy guidelines on the subject matter. The Circular also conveyed the need for Vice-Chancellors to seek NUC assistance if problems arise with the implementation of this policy.

University Autonomy and Academic Freedom:

A bill on University Autonomy and Academic Freedom is before the National assembly. All Nigerians including ASUU had made submissions to the National Assembly. The outcome is awaited.

Students Matters:

As directed by the Federal Ministry of Education, NUC had also conveyed to Vice-Chancellors through a circular that within the Laws of the University, students should be represented in the University Welfare Board and other Committees that handle the affairs of Students. Students should be encouraged to take part in various aspect of curriculum development and that they should be made to be more self assured as part of their development process. Students should also participate in the process of assessing academic staff with respect to teaching.

University Teaching Fund:

The objective of the Fund is to encourage postgraduate studies. Government affirms that a postgraduate scholarship scheme is in place and university workers are qualified to take advantage of it.

Reinstatement of Academic Staff removed by Decree 17 of 1984:

The Office of the Head of Service has in place an inter-ministerial Committee for reviewing all cases brought before it. Affected university staff should take advantage of this opportunity.

Implementation of Retirement Age of Academic Staff (Act No. 11 of 1993):

The extant law will prevail until amended by the National Assembly.

Membership of Implementation Committee:

The position on this in the ASUU minimum demand is noted. Government has taken action to address the participation of State Universities in the Committee.

Victimisation of Staff (Unilorin Issue):

Government affirms that the issue of employment rests with university councils. Government is however prepared to allow the rule of law to prevail (i.e. is prepared to allow the full course of the Court process to continue as regards the issue of the sacked Lectures of the University of Ilorin. Government pledges to honour the decisions of the Court on the issue.

Regardless of the above, the Government has offered ASUU the following possible solution to the impasse in the interest of Nigeria students. This solution is that the National Universities Commission acting on behalf of the Federal Government shall undertake that the 44 members of staff of University of Ilorin whose conditions of continuous employment were interrupted will be re-engaged and their placements secured in suitable and available Faculties in any Federal University. This undertaking is without prejudice to all matters pending before any court of law in respect of the dispute between University of Ilorin and the 44 disengaged staff members.

Government Demands:

ASUU should immediately call off the strike, which has stifled academic work in the universities since December 29, 2003 to the chagrin of students, parents and the entire nation. ASUU should also direct all its members to release immediately the results of examinations, which they are withholding. ASUU should note that as a result of its resolve to hold on to the students' results, the Federal Ministry of Education has not been able to enjoy the facility of the Commonwealth Scholarship and other Scholarships based on bilateral relations with foreign countries. The Ministry is also not able to process scholarships for undergraduates in Nigerian universities whose results are being withheld. Also, the affected students are not able to benefit from the gesture of oil companies/other multilateral companies to offer them scholarship. These are serious losses to our nation.

ASUU members who are holding the completion certificates of contractors on the UBE programme should release the certificates immediately.