The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday.
The ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, October 14, 2022 in Abuja.
Equally important, the statement was issued at the end of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) emergency meeting
Osodeke said the meeting was called to review the developments since the union declared an indefinite strike action on August 29.
He also said that for the avoidance of doubt; the issues include of funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances, proliferation of public Universities; as well as visitation panels/release of white papers.
He added that others are 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.
According to ASUU president, NEC noted with regrets that the issues in dispute are yet to be satisfactorily addressed.
“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, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, and other well-meaning Nigerians.
“ASUU NEC resolved to suspend the strike action embarked upon on Feb. 14.
“Consequently, all members of ASUU are hereby directed to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday, Oct. 14,” he said.
Osodeke however, noted that during the intervening period; the Minister of Labour and Employment, through a referral, approached the National Industrial Court (NIC); according to him, for the interpretation of “the provision of sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 18 (1) of the Trade Dispute Act, Cap T8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“Whether the on-going prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities which started since Feb. 14 is legal even after statutory apprehension by the Minister of Labour and Employment?
“In addition, he asked for an interlocutory order against the continuation of the strike,’’ he added.
He said the National Industrial Court in its wisdom gave an order; compelling ASUU to resume work pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Osodeke added that, given the nature of the order, and in the opinion of our counsel; there was the need to appeal the interlocutory injunction granted against our Union at the Court of Appeal.
He said the Court of Appeal acknowledged the validity of the grounds of the Union’s appeal; but still upheld the order of the lower court.
“It ordered our union to comply with the ruling of the lower court as condition precedent for the appeal to be heard,” he said.
