There are signs that the Federal Government would reopen campuses despite the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) insistence that its protracted strike continues.
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.
“Moreover, there are some lecturers who are also ready to work, such people should not be shut out.
“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.
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Malam Adamu Adamu, the minister of education, will be the person they meet with.
The letter inviting them marked NUC/ES/138/VOL. 64/125 was signed by the Deputy Executive Secretary, Administration, Chris Maiyaki, on behalf of the Executive Secretary.
The letter was titled “Industrial actions by university-based unions: Invitation to a special interactive meeting with the Honourable Minister of Education.”
It read in part: “As the pro-chancellors and the chairmen of councils and the vice-chancellors are quite aware, the industrial action by university-based unions has led to 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 management 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.”
It was heard that the government will order the reopening of the schools and permit employees who were ready to work to return to their duty positions at the meeting.
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, or 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.
This is happening at the same time as certain state university administrations are also making preparations to ensure the institutions’ reopening.
