There are signs that the Federal Government would reopen campuses despite the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) insistence that its protracted strike continue.
There are other employees in the university system than academic staff, and since those employees are prepared to resume their jobs, the institutions shouldn’t stay closed any longer, according to sources in the Federal Ministry of Education.
Additionally, there are certain lecturers who are willing to labour and should not be excluded.
“Only few days ago, a group addressed the press in Abuja, saying 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? He asked.
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 on next Tuesday.
Malam Adamu Adamu, the minister of education, will be the person they meet with.
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 invitation to a special interactive meeting with the Honourable Minister of Education was in the letter, which was titled “Industrial actions by university-based unions.”
It read in part: “As the vice chancellors, council chairs, and provosts are well aware, university-based unions’ industrial action has resulted in the closure of the institutions since February 14, 2022.
“You are also aware that the non-teaching unions have suspended their industrial actions with effect from 24th August, 2022, while a final decision is being awaited from the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.
“It has become necessary for the Governing Councils and the managements of the universities to be briefed on the decisions and actions taken by the Federal Government so far, to allow for a well-coordinated review of the situation, including building consensus around succeeding actions.”
Recall that after convening a National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Monday, ASUU insisted on carrying out its strike.
On the stage of the Congress of University Academics ( CONUA), a group of lecturers under the leadership of Dr. Niyi Sunmonu separated themselves from the strike and declared their willingness to return to work.
