By John Ikani
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has outlined reasons behind the suspension of its eight-month-old industrial action.
The Union in a statement by its President, Emmanuel Osodeke said the decision to call off the industrial action followed series of appeals by Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representative Femi Gbajabiamila.
While noting that the issues which led to the strike were yet to be satisfactorily addressed, the statement however directed members of the union to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday, 14th October 2022.
Recall that ASUU embarked on strike on February 14, over issues that include: Funding for Revitalisation of public universities; Earned Academic Allowances; Proliferation of public Universities as well as Visitation Panels/Release of White Papers.
Others are the adoption of University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a broad spectrum software to stop illegality and provide for an alternative payment platform in the university system and Renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement.
The suspension of the strike comes days after the Court of Appeal had ordered ASUU to resume work
before its appeal of a ruling ordering lecturers back to classrooms can be heard.
What ASUU is saying
“We appreciate the commendable efforts of the leadership of the House of Representatives and other patriotic Nigerians who waded into the matter, NEC noted with regrets that the issues in dispute are yet to be satisfactorily addressed.
“However, as a law-abiding Union and in deference to appeals by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, and in recognition of the efforts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and other well-meaning Nigerians, ASUU NEC resolved to suspend the strike action embarked upon on 14th February 2022.
“Consequently, all members of ASUU are hereby directed to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday, 14th October 2022.”
