FG Orders VCs To Reopen Varsities, Commence Lecture

The Federal government has ordered vice-chancellors to re-open schools and allow students resume lectures.

This was disclosed in a letter signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the National Universities Commission (NUC) , Sam Onazi , on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed.

The letter which was addressed to all vice -chancellors , Pro-chancellors and chairmen of governing councils of federal universitiies reads in part :

“Ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures; Restore the daily activities and routines of the various University campuses”,

Last Wednesday, the national industrial court of Nigeria ordered that the Academica Staff Union of Universities to call of its strike ongoing strike and return to classrooms

ASUU had been on strike since February 14 demanding review of salaries for lecturers, academic autonomous, improved funding , among other issues.

The counsel to the federal government, James Igwe, had prayed that the court to grant an interlocutory injunction restraining ASUU from taking further steps as regards the strike , pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He said that the matter was not only urgent, but of a great national interest as millions of students have been at home for over seven months.

“Sections 47 of the Trade Dispute Act, TDA, gives your lordship the power to direct that no worker should continue to embark on strike pending when the applications are heard and determined,”,
Igwe argued.

While dismissing objections ASUU raised through its lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, the court held that the strike action was detrimental to public university students that cannot afford to attend private tertiary institutions.

“The balance of convenience tilts in favour of the applicant.

“I hold that this application is meritorious and this application is granted”, Justice Hamman ruled.

The court, thereafter, issued an order, restraining ASUU, “whether by themselves, members, agents, privies or howsoever called, from taking further steps and doing any act in continuance of the strike action, pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed.”

The union have filed an appeal to challenge the order of the industrial court.