The possibility of the embattled Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) being proscribed is becoming clearer as the Federal Government has ordered Vice Chancellors to immediately reopen the universities for academic business.
A letter, signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed, and addressed to all Vice Chancellors, Pro Chancellors and Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Universities, directed today, September 26, that students should be asked to resume lectures immediately.
The letter reads in part: “Ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures; Restore the daily activities and routines of the various University campuses.”
This is coming after the national industrial court of Nigeria had, Wednesday last week, ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities to call off its ongoing nationwide strike.
ASUU had been on strike since February 14, 2022 to press home the demand for improved funding for universities, a review of salaries for lecturers, among other issues.
Several meetings between ASUU and the Federal Government have ended in a deadlock.
Consequently, the Federal Government went to court to challenge the strike.
The government, through its counsel, James Igwe, prayed the court for an interlocutory injunction restraining ASUU from taking further steps as regards the strike, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
More details shortly
Source: The Punch.
