Hopes rose afresh last night of an imminent end to the five-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) after the union’s leaders met with President Goodluck Jonathan for the first time since the industrial action started on July 1.

The mood of the ASUU delegation led by the union’s president, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, was less cantankerous – a clear departure from what obtained after previous rounds of negotiations that did not directly involve President Jonathan.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting held behind closed doors for about two-and-a-half hours at the Aso Rock presidential Villa, Dr. Fagge confirmed that government had made a new offer which ASUU would take to its members.

“We now have a message from Mr. President we are going to take to our members. And we are expecting that our members will respond appropriately to the message of Mr. President,” Fagge said. He, however, refused to give an idea of the new offer, saying: “It is for our members.”

On his part, Labour Minister Emeka Wogu said: “We made progress; the President of ASUU told you that they are going back with a message from the Federal Government back to their members. And the message is full of high expectations and hope.”

On whether the strike will be called off, he said: “That is why the message is full of high expectations and hope. So our prayer is that they come back with positive outcome. They might not even come back to meet us, they might take decisions there that will meet your expectations.”

ASUU had before now insisted on the full implementation of the 2009 funding agreement saying there was no need for any new negotiation.

•Photo shows President Jonathan (left); ASUU Vice President, Mr. Biodun Ogunyemi Onabanjo (2nd right); Vice President Namadi Sambo (2nd left) and ASUU President, Nasir Faggae (right) . . . last night at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.