The Federal Government has denied defaulting in its agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the release of N220bn to the universities.

The agreement paved the way for the ending of ASUU’s almost six-month strike that paralysed the country’s public universities from last July 1 but ASUU National Treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu, over weekend told newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, that a fresh strike was likely as government had failed to keep the agreement.

Responding to the allegation, Supervising Minister for Education, Nyesom Wike, yesterday denied the claim, describing it as untrue and baseless.

A statement issued last night in Abuja by his spokesman, Simeon Nwakaudu, said: “Government has already released the 2013 funds to the universities and the institutions have commenced procurements of their needs and the 2014 fund would also be released as at when due.”

•Photo shows Supervising Minister for Education, Nyesom Wike.