The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU to yield to the appeals to call for their strike, as the body confirmed that they are considering the appeals by religious bodies in Nigeria calling on them to resume work.
In a series of tweets released on their official Twitter handle on Sunday 15th May 2022, the President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke stated that the union would consider the appeal on the ASSU strike and make its decision known.
Professor Emmanuel Osodeke confirmed that NIREC appealed to the striking unions on Thursday. He said such appeals are not new to ASUU. “It is an appeal and our members would consider it. It is not a request but an appeal and appeals are usually for consideration.”
Mr Osodeke, however, did not say when the union would decide. “When the decision is taken, everyone would know,” he said.
The unions include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The Appeal By The Religious Body On ASUU Strike?
A statement issued by the Ministry of Labour and signed by its head of press and public relations, Olajide Oshundun, stated that the chairperson of NIREC and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, made the appeal on Thursday during a “tripartite-plus” meeting between the striking university workers’ unions and government representatives and other stakeholders.
The statement said Mr Abubakar expressed frustration with the continued closure of the universities, noting that the development poses danger, especially with the increasing activities ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The statement added that the monarch and religious leader said the universities need to be reopened as soon as possible so that it does not provide an opportunity “for those politicians who don’t want things to go right, to use those children as political thugs.”
About the appeal on ASSU Strike:
According to the statement by the Labour ministry, Mr Abubakar called for a compromise between the parties.
“I don’t think it will be so beneficial to us while our children are at home and threatening violence across the country, blocking roads and airports and we as elders sit down watching,” he said.
“The best thing is to go back to the classroom and continue the negotiation. We will continue sitting together until the final solution is attained. It is not impossible.”
He added that it would portend danger to allow young people to “sit idly” at home.