The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may cease to exist in Nigerian Universities owing to a breakaway by a new union.
The Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), a split off from the Academic Staff Union (ASUU) of Universities, will receive a registration certificate from the federal government soon.
According to reports, the CONUA, which is run by Niyi Sunmonu, a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has obtained official trade union registration.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment’s Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations, Oshundun Olajide, released a press release and invitation to reporters on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, informing them of the development.
According to a source at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the government’s decision to deregister ASUU was signaled by its presentation of a certificate of registration to CONUA.
The insider also said that the FG intended to put an end to ASUU’s ongoing strikes, which have prevented public universities from operating for the past seven months.
“The Minister, on behalf of the federal government will today present Certificate of Registration to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA). With that, ASUU may cease to exist again in our universities,” the source revealed.
Meanwhile, the State Security Service of Nigeria (NSS) has admonished the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off the ongoing strike, which has halted academic activities in many Nigerian universities.
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria issued an injunction the day prior to the admonishment from the SSS, ordering the return to work of public university teachers who have been on strike for seven months over the Federal government’s inability to uphold prior agreements.
Yunusa Abdulkadir, the Director of the Service in charge of Yobe gave the admonishment at the Third Quarterly Conference of the State Directors of Security in the North East Zone.
He pointed out that the strike has security ramifications because it prevented the country’s universities from operating.
