Strike: ASUU Holds Crucial Meeting over Appeal Court Ruling

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Following the ruling by the Appeal Court, ordering the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to suspend its 8-month-old strike with immediate effect, the union would be meeting on Sunday (today).

Recall that the Appeal Court on Friday ordered the striking lecturers to obey the earlier judgement by the National Industrial Court, which ruled that the union must suspend its prolonged industrial action while negotiations continue.

DAILY POST recalls that ASUU on February 14 this year shut down public universities across the country while demanding the full implementation of earlier agreements between it and the Federal Government.

But following fruitless efforts by the government and other stakeholders to reach a truce with the aggrieved lecturers, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, on September 11, dragged ASUU to the National Industrial Court.

The court, on September 24, ordered the union to return to classrooms while negotiations with the Federal Government continue.

But miffed by the ruling, ASUU headed to the appellate court to appeal the ruling.

However, the Appeal Court, while delivering a judgment on Friday, ruled that the union must obey the ruling of the lower court and call off the strike immediately pending the determination of the substantive suit.

ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, told DAILY POST on Friday, while reacting to the ruling, that the union would review the Appeal Court’s order before it would decide on the next line of action.

He said, “We have not received the ruling; when we get it, we will review it with our lawyer, and then we can take the next step”.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, while reacting to the development on Friday, said labour controllers across the States of the federation are monitoring schools to ensure compliance with the ruling of the Court of Appeal.

“I have asked labour controllers in the states and the zones to go to the schools and see if the vice-chancellors have opened the gates.

“If they don’t, they will be charged for contempt,” he said while featuring on a Channels Television program. Meanwhile, a member of the union who pleaded anonymity told DAILY POST on Saturday that the National Executive Council of ASUU would be meeting today to review the Appeal Court judgement.

He said, “The Appeal Court ruling will be critically reviewed on Sunday, and it is after that that we will know the fate of Nigerian students who have been forced to stay at home for almost eight months due to the Federal Government’s negligence.

“Ngige and the Buhari government failed to understand that even if they force the union to resume work, they cannot force the lecturers to teach the Nigerian students whose futures have been jeopardized”.

However, when contacted for confirmation, the ASUU president simply said, “We don’t advertise our meeting; it is private”.

Strike: ASUU Holds Crucial Meeting over Appeal Court Ruling — FAQs

Why is ASUU holding a crucial meeting over the Appeal Court ruling?
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is meeting to deliberate on the implications of the Appeal Court ruling and determine the union’s next steps regarding the ongoing dispute.

What is the Appeal Court ruling about?
The ruling relates to the issues surrounding the dispute between ASUU and the relevant authorities. The union is expected to review the judgment and consider its implications for its members and the university system.

Will the meeting determine whether ASUU will embark on strike?
The outcome of the meeting could influence the union’s position on industrial action. However, students should wait for an official statement from ASUU rather than rely on speculation about a possible strike.

How will the development affect university students?
If ASUU decides to take industrial action, academic activities in affected public universities could be disrupted. Students are advised to continue to attend to official announcements from their respective institutions.

When will ASUU announce its decision?
ASUU is expected to communicate its position after the meeting and completion of its internal deliberations. Students and other stakeholders should follow official ASUU channels and credible news sources for updates.