ASUU: Why We Suspended Eight-Month Strike
THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which in the early hours of Friday, October 14, suspended its eight-month strike, has explained that it took the decision following the ruling of the Appeal Court, as well as offers made by the Federal Government on the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The union added that it suspended the strike in line with the order of the courts and in deference to appeals by President Muhammadu Buhari and in recognition of the efforts of Gbajabiamila and other well meaning Nigerians.
It directed its members to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from Friday, October 14, 2022.In a
A statement at the end of the meeting signed by ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the union, however, regretted the failure of the government to satisfactorily address all issues in dispute.
Osodeke said that for the avoidance of doubt, the issues include funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances, proliferation of public universities and visitation panels/release of white papers, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a broad spectrum software to stop illegality and provide for an alternative payment platform in the university system and renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement.
He stated that the union’s NEC noted with regret that the issues in dispute are yet to be satisfactorily addressed, adding: “However, as a law-abiding union and in deference to appeals by Mr. President and in recognition of the efforts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other well-meaning Nigerians, ASUU NEC resolved to suspend the strike action embarked upon on February 14.
“Consequently, all members of ASUU are hereby directed to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday, October 14.”
ASUU embarked on the rollover strike on February14 over the failure of the Federal Government to meet its demands. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, after what he described as “failed negotiations,” dragged the striking lecturers to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which on September 21, ordered ASUU to call off the strike.
Ruling on the interlocutory injunction, Justice Polycarp Hamman, granted the motion on notice filed by the Federal Government directing the lecturers to return to classrooms and restrained ASUU from continuing with the industrial action.
However, ASUU, through its lead Counsel, Mr. Femi Falana, challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which on October 7, ordered the union to go back to the classroom within seven days before it could hear its appeal.
