The Federal Government plans to reopen shut universities despite its inability to reach an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over its protracted strike.
According to sources in the Federal Ministry of Education, the academic staff are not the only employees in a university. Adding that since the others are ready to resume their jobs, the institutions should not stay closed any longer.
“Moreover, there are some lecturers who are also ready to work; such people should not be shut out. Only a few days ago, a group addressed the press in Abuja. They said they are not part of the ASUU trouble. Their group is also working to be registered too.
“Non-teaching staff have also called off their strike and the university environment is not only for or about academic staff. Why should those who are ready to work be denied the opportunity to work?”
This comes right before a meeting of the provosts and vice presidents of federal universities that is scheduled to take place at the National Universities Commission, NUC, Complex in Abuja, next Tuesday.
The Deputy Executive Secretary, Administration, Chris Maiyaki, signed the letter extending an invitation to them with the designation NUC/ES/138/VOL. 64/125. The letter was titled “Industrial actions by university-based unions: Invitation to a special interactive meeting with the Minister of Education.”
The Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors of federal universities will be meeting with Mallam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education.
It is alleged that the government plans to order the reopening of the schools after the meeting; and also permit employees who were ready to work to return to their duty positions.
Recall that ASUU held a National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Monday and insisted on prolonging its strike.
