FG handicapped over ASUU strike, backs off on resumption order to reopen varsities

…Consider substitute for ASUU — Report

…Don’t listen to deceit of FG, strike continues — ASUU

By Moses Adeniyi and Matthew Denis

Having sensed its order to force striking university lecturers under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would bear untoward consequences, the Federal Government on Monday backed off from a directive it issued to Vice-Chancellors (VCs) of public universities to reopen schools to commence academic work.

Following the order directing VCs to reopen universities, the question of modalities on how to ascertain if the aggrieved striking lecturers would follow suit had sprung up debate.

Report had revealed that in its strategies to outsmart the lecturers, the Federal Government to enforce its earlier directive had planned to direct university management to open  attendance register for lecturers of all public universities in the country upon resumption as given by the directive.

Also, it was reported the government as a deterrent planned to direct VCs to compile names of lecturers that fail to resume their duty posts and advertise their positions for possible replacement after one week of reopening.

Their replacement, it was reported, the Government would seek from competent lecturers of private universities extraction, as well as recently retired civil servants who upon the attainment of the mandatory 60 years in service, possess the requisite qualifications and experience to take up the job of lecturing.

The Federal Government, in a letter disclosed to journalists on Monday, signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the NUC, Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed, instructed all Vice-chancellors; Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of governing councils of federal universities to re-open schools and allow students resume lectures.

“Ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures; Restore the daily activities and routines of the various University campuses,” the letter had read partly.

However, suspecting its order would generate unpleasant outcomes, the Federal Government withdrew its earlier directive to Vice-chancellors, Chairmen of governing councils and Pro-chancellors of public universities to reopen the schools for academic activities.

The withdrawal was contained in a circular by the National Universities Commission (NUC) Monday evening.

The circular with reference number: “NUC/ES/138/Vil.64/136 was titled: Re: Forwarding of Court Judgement and Enforcement of Order by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Suit No.NICN/ABJ/270/2022: Withdrawal of Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135.”

The withdrawal circular signed also by NUC Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr Sam Onazi, on behalf of the commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, and addressed to Vice-chancellors and Chairmen of governing councils, read: “I have been directed to withdraw the National Universities Commission (NUC) circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol64/135, 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 the federal universities are to please, note. Further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.

“Please accept the assurances of the Executive Secretary’s warmest regards.”

The withdrawal of the directive, cannot be said not to be unconnected with the appeal against the last week judgement of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).

It was gathered that the attention of the Federal Government might have been drawn to the implications of NUC’s order for resumption in face of ASUU’s appeal, filed through its team of lawyers  against the order of NICN.

It was gathered ASUU had successfully secured a stay of execution of the judgement of the court which had ordered it to resume work.

…Don’t listen to deceit of FG, strike continues – ASUU

Meanwhile, ASUU has in response to the earlier directive ordering reopening of schools said the Universities had never been closed at any time.

Responding in a chat with Nigerian NewsDirect, the Chairman of ASUU, University of Ilorin chapter, Prof. Moyosere Salihu Ajao stated that the universities gates have never been locked or closed.

“The union has appealed the judgment since last week Friday and requested for stay of execution, therefore the Vice Chancellors cannot open the universities without the Senate of the Universities saying so.

“No amount of intimidation or harassment from government or its agencies will work. My sincere advice to parents and students is not to listen to deceit of the government. They should stay at home until the final resolution of this matter,” he said.

Moreover, ASUU Chairman, University of Ibadan, Professor Ayoola Akinwole, also said that the Union never shut down the Universities

He said ASUU members would not be in classes but will continue to do their research and community services.

According to him, the Union is on strike with its members withdrawing their services from teaching, supervising and holding statutory meetings in line with the ongoing strike.

“We remain committed to our resolve to prosecute the strike and our members have resolved not to be caged by tyrannical orders. As you know, we have appealed the Industrial Court ruling,” he said.

He urged the Federal Government to do the needful by signing the renegotiated agreement with the Union, pay revitalisation funds and earned allowances, among others.

Recall that ASUU has been on strike since February 14 following alleged refusal of the Federal Government to honour agreement it entered with it in 2009.

The impasse resulting from irreconcilable differences between the Union and the Federal Government,  culminated in the evocation of the “No work, no pay” policy by the government and subsequently the Federal Government’s resort to secure court order to force the Union to work –  a development that resulted in an order of the NICN which last week ordered the Union to resume work, pending the determination of the case.

The Union which has been on strike for over seven months, is demanding from Federal Government the funding of the Revitalisation of Public Universities, Earned Academic Allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) and promotion arrears.

Also, are the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG Agreement and the inconsistency in Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System.