The Federal Government has reversed itself on the earlier directive through the National Universities Commission that its universities should be re-opened despite the seven-month strike action by the Academic Union of University Staff (ASUU).
Earlier in the day, the government – also through the NUC – had directed Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Chancellors and Governing Councils to re-open federal universities.
Withdrawing his own circular, NUC Executive Secretary, Prof Abubakar Rasheed – also through the same official, the commission’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr Sam Onazi – wrote to the federal universities’ Vice Chancellors, Pro-Chancellors and Governing Councils, saying: “I have been directed to withdraw the National Universities Commission (NUC) Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135, and dated 23rd September 2022 on the above subject.
“Consequently, the said Circular stands withdrawn. All Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of Governing Councils, as well as Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities are to please note. Further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders”.
Last week, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige hinted that the government might direct the reopening of federal universities following the ruling of the National Industrial Court.
The court had ordered ASUU to return to work in line with Section 17 of the Trade Dispute Act 2004.
However, ASUU filed an appeal and stay of execution of the NIC order last Friday.
Sources say that opinion leaders and other stakeholders interested in resolving the protracted face-off might have led to the government to reverse itself.
ASUU embarked on the industrial action on 14 February demanding government’s implementation of the Memorandum of Action on funding for revitalisation of public universities, which was signed in December 2020.
Other are Earned Academic Allowances, renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and the deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) for staff payment, among others.
