Striking university teachers across Nigeria today moved closer to resolving the five months old industrial dispute that had led to the closure of Nigerian universities by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with officials of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

ASUU president Dr. Nasir Fagge told Saharareporters over the phone that the MOU signing took place at the Ministry of Education in Abuja. The Permanent Secretary at the ministry signed on behalf of the federal government while the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress Abdul Omar witnessed the event.

The ASUU president said the Nigerian government agreed to fulfill most of the obligations agreed upon during meetings with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja a few weeks ago, this he said, includes a non-victimization clause.

Accordingly, ASUU will call a meeting of its National Executive Council to take a look at the MOU and decide on the next line of action within the next week.

On its part, the Nigerian government will set up a committee to fully implement the agreement with ASUU.

The MOU signing followed a disclosure by Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe yesterday that the Federal government had deposited N200 billion with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as part of the promise made to ASUU during its last negotiation with President Jonathan.