ASUU strike: We’ll order VCs to reopen varsities — FG

The Federal Government has said it would order vice chancellors to reopen universities across the country in compliance with the order of the National Industrial Court directing the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its ongoing strike.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said this on Wednesday while receiving members of the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) in his office in Abuja.

Ngige, who said nobody won or lost in the ruling of the court, stated that the court ruling did not preclude further negotiation between the Federal Government and ASUU.

He said: “The ruling is in the best interest of the nation. It is a win-win situation for all of us- government, students, lecturers- all Nigerians indeed.

“I have just gotten the order of court asking ASUU to go back to work. It is a sound judgment. It is no victor, no vanquished. You doctors in academics are for now members of ASUU, but, you are here, even though you have dissociated yourself and you are working. We want to thank you for working and teaching your students.

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“The court ruling does not preclude us from going on with further negotiation and consultations. The pro-chancellors met Mr. President and made some demands, such as topping up government offer and seeing whether there could be some bailout. Mr. President said in considering it, he will consult stakeholders. So, he is going to consult everybody.”

Ngige further extolled the intervention of the House of Representatives in the ASUU strike, saying he was happy that the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, said they were going to meet President Muhammadu Buhari.

The minister said the intervention was timely considering that the President must have also consulted some stakeholders, adding that whatever money to be put in would go into the 2023 appropriation where the National Assembly comes in.

“If they have shown interest now, it is good and wonderful. When they bring that proposal, the Executive will not have any problem. ASUU should also know that this is a step in the right direction.

“And all these things have been promised them by the Minister of Education at their last meeting with him. For me, they should do the needful and get back to classroom,” he added.

The Star