The ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, told journalists that the meeting was necessary as the present administration had spent one year in office without addressing issues affecting the university system.

Both sides expressed optimism that with the commencement of negotiations, all outstanding issues would be amicably resolved.

The union had threatened to embark on strike over various issues, but speaking with newsmen after the meeting with the education minister, Tahir Mamman, Osodeke said that the negotiation process had begun and hoped the minister would follow up on what had been agreed on.

Osodeke explained that both parties were asked to set up committees to look into the 10 demands ASUU listed in a letter it wrote to the Federal Government on Monday.