The Federal Government has expressed optimism that the strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) by Monday at the latest.
This was made known by Dr. Clement Illo, who is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, while speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.
It can be recalled that a meeting ASUU held with the Senate President, the Committee on Labour and the Committee on Education, among others ended in deadlock on Wednesday.
Illo however called the meeting as “a very positive step” and stated that the strike could be suspended over this weekend.
“It is still work in progress and we are still meeting tomorrow (Friday) and on Monday,” he said.
“But the indications are very positive that the issues will be resolved as quickly as possible. We are sure of success on Friday but if we did not, then we will definitely succeed by Monday.
“So, the possibility like I said of suspending the strike is still very positive because there is high possibility that the strike would be suspended.
“This is because the issues have been very well articulated and already, there is a focus on how it will be resolved.”
He also promised that everything will be done, to ensure the agreement is implemented as quickly as possible.
Illo added: “like I said, it is very positive, why government should not implement something it signed in good faith?”