Latest ASUU Strike Update For Today 4th October 2022

Latest ASUU Strike Update For Today 4th October 2022

Flippstack has compiled the Latest ASUU news on the current strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),  a Nigerian union of university academic staff. Latest ASUU Strike Update For Today 4th October 2022

This means the latest asuu strike news, asuu strike update today, asuu news, asuu latest strike news, asuu latest news on resumption, asuu strike update, and all asuu news stories compiled by Flippstack can be accessed on this page

Below is the latest Asuu strike update, asuu latest news on resumption and ASUU strike news today, Tuesday, 4th October 2022

Latest ASUU Strike Update For Today 4th October 2022

ASUU Strike: House Of Reps Leadership To Meet Buhari On Tuesday

In a move to resolve the ongoing strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the leadership of the House of Representatives will meet President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

Naija News recalls that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had over the last few weeks conveyed a stakeholders meeting comprising members of ASUU and representatives of the Federal Government.

Speaking at the last meeting with the stakeholders, Gbajabiamila said the House will prepare and submit the report of its intervention in the ongoing strike to President Buhari.

He said the report will reflect their interactions with the stakeholders and provide recommendations to enable the President to assess the situation from an informed second option.

In a chat with The Punch on Sunday, a top Presidency source who craved anonymity said the leadership of the Green Chamber will present their recommendations on the strike to Buhari on Tuesday.

The source said the President will receive the House leadership led by the Speaker at the State House, Abuja by 3pm on Tuesday, October 4.

He said, “The leaders of the House of Representatives are scheduled to see the President in the coming week. They are on the programme. The President will receive them at 3pm on Tuesday.”

ASUU strike: Falana asks FG to ‘stop chasing shadows’

Femi Falana, the human rights advocate, says the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) did not engage in contempt of court on the recent verdict of the national industrial court.

Over the weekend, Chris Ngige, minister of labour and productivity, warned ASUU against the consequences of contempt of court.

Reacting to Ngige’s comments, Falana, counsel to ASUU, in a statement on Monday, said the application for the leave of the court of appeal against the injunction is the same as an appeal under the rules of the court.

The human rights lawyer said ASUU cannot be accused of contempt of court because the union is seeking to appeal and stay the execution of the judgment.

“The minister is unaware that the national industrial court lacks the jurisdictional competence to intervene in the resolution of a trade dispute that has not been determined by the industrial arbitration panel,” Falana said.

“However, contrary to the claim of the Minister that the ASUU has not filed an appeal, the application for the leave of the court of appeal to appeal against the interlocutory order of injunction is deemed to be an appeal under the rules of the court of appeal.

“The application is equally accompanied by a motion for stay of execution of the said order. To that extent, the members of the ASUU cannot be accused of engaging in contempt of the order of the national industrial court in so far as they are seeking to appeal and stay the execution of the said order.

“Having exercised their constitutional right of appeal and prayed the court of appeal to stay the execution of the interlocutory order of the national industrial court pending the determination of the appeal, the members of ASUU cannot be said to have engaged in any form of contempt.

“However, instead of chasing the shadow by threatening the ASUU with contempt of court and proscription, the federal government should adopt urgent measures to end the strike that has paralysed academic activities in public universities for the past seven months.

“In particular, the federal government should take advantage of the intervention of the leadership of the house of representatives to resolve all outstanding issues and end the strike as soon as possible.”

‘Accept Integrated Payroll’ – Buhari Govt Implores ASUU

With the promise of enhancing the payment platform to better suit the demands of the lecturers, the federal government has pleaded with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embrace the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

At a meeting between the union and the federal government on Thursday in the House of Representatives, the Accountant General of the Federation, Sylvia Okolieaboh, made the proposal.

In order to resolve the more than seven-month-old strike, Naija News previously reported that Speaker of the House Femi Gbajabiamila had called for a long meeting with all stakeholders involved in the education sector.

In an effort to put a stop to the strike, the Accountant General stated that the government will work with the union on the subject of pay.

According to him, the government is concerned about the repercussions of allowing ASUU access to a special payment platform provided by other businesses.

He said: “If there are peculiarities in the university salaries system, what we need to do is to sit down with ASUU and identify them and address them in IPPIS. We are willing to accept.”

The House of Representatives has mediated three meetings, and like many of them, this one produced no results. The head of the service, Folashade Esan, the minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige, and the president of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke, were also present.

Gbajabiamila stated in his concluding remarks that he will assemble all the proposals and provide them to President Muhammadu Buhari as a single report

He said; “We are appealing to you, the Judiciary has spoken, the Executive has spoken, the Legislature is about to speak together with the Executive; everybody cannot be wrong and only one person is right. For me I’m happy with the solution on UTAS, no victor, no vanquished, everybody is being carried along.

“For the sake of emphasis, the House is pleading with you, let’s put all interest aside and look at the interest of our children.”

Strike Can End In Two Days – ASUU President Gives Update, Slams FG

The president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke has accused the federal government of not taking the demands of the union seriously.

Speaking on Wednesday, Osodeke stated that the strike by the union members can end in one or two days only if the Nigerian government does the needful.

He alleged that the strike has lingered because the government is simply unwilling to meet the demands of ASUU.

Speaking on the decision of the government through the Labour Minister, Chris Ngige to drag the striking lecturers to court, Osodeke slammed the government saying its action is a wrong move done in bad faith.

“All Nigerians can see that the government is not interested in resolving the issues. Like I have said, these issues can be resolved in just one or two days.

“But they are playing with everything. Why will a minister of labour be going to court when the pro-chancellors are having interaction with the president who promised to get back.

“If you force lecturers to class, how are you sure you will have the best of teaching and research? This can be resolved in one day if the federal government is interested,” the ASUU president maintained during an interview with Arise TV.

ASUU Strike: Benue varsity announces resumption, ASUU kicks

Court Strikes Out NANS’ Suit Against ASUU, FG

A suit filed by the National Association of Students (NANS) to compel the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government to call off the seven months strike has been struck out by the National Industrial Court (NIC).

The suit was struck out on Tuesday by Justice Polycarp Hamman after the factional president of NANS, Umar Faruk Lawal withdrew the case.

Lawal in the suit marked NICN/ABJ/273/2022, had claimed that he filed the case against ASUU and FG for himself and on behalf of NANS.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami were listed as 2nd and 3rd Respondents, respectively in the suit.

Lawal on Tuesday, when the matter was mentioned notified the court that he filed a motion for discontinuance.

The factional NANS president expressed his intention to withdraw the suit on account of the challenge by the student body which contested his standing and denied that he is the President of NANS as he had deposed to.

Though the other two respondents were not represented, however, counsel to ASUU, Marshal Abubakar, informed the court that he was not opposed to Lawal’s application to withdraw the suit.

Justice Hamman thereafter struck out the matter.

ASUU: Buhari Govt Reverses, Asks VCs To Stop Reopening Universities

The Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has withdrawn its circular which ordered vice-chancellors, pro-chancellors, and governing councils to re-open federal universities.

Naija News reports that the Buhari Government gave the new directive on Monday afternoon through the National Universities Commission.

Recall that the NUC had earlier directed Vice Chancellors to immediately re-open all public Universities and allow students to go back to classes.

The Commission had given the order in a letter approved by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed.

In the letter signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the NUC, Sam Onazi, the Commission directed the Vice Chancellors to ensure that the striking lecturers immediately resume lectures.

The letter was addressed to all vice-chancellors; Pro-Chancellors and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities.

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

But in another circular tagged NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/136, which was also signed by the Director, Finance and Account of the NUC, Sam Onazi, the commission withdrew the order without giving an explanation.

The letter tagged, “withdrawal of circular NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 dated September 23, 2022” partly read, “I have been directed to withdraw the NUC Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135, and dated September 23, 2022 on the above subject.

“Consequently, the said circular stands withdrawn. All pro-chancellors and chairmen of governing councils, as well as vice-chancellors of federal universities are to please note. Further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.

“Please accept the assurances of the Executive Secretary’s warmest regards”

ASUU Strike: FG Directs Vice Chancellors To Reopen Varsities

The Federal Government has directed Vice Chancellors to immediately re-open all public Universities and allow students to go back to classes.

Naija News reports that the National Universities Commission (NUC) gave the order in a letter approved by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed.

In the letter signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the NUC, Sam Onazi, the Commission directed the Vice Chancellors to ensure that the striking lecturers immediately resume lectures.

According to the Punch, the letter was addressed to all vice-chancellors; Pro-Chancellors and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities.

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

ThIs development followed the ruling given by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria that the seven-month strike embarked by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) be called off.

ASUU had been on strike since February 14 to press home the demand for improved funding for universities, and a review of salaries for lecturers, among other issues. Latest ASUU Strike Update For Today 4th October 2022

End ASUU strike now, CAN president tells FG

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr Daniel Okoh, on Sunday, urged the Federal Government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities to end the seven-month strike.

Okoh made the appeal in his address during the interdenominational church service to mark the 62nd Independence Day at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.

“I call on the Federal Government to do all that is necessary so that most of these youths will go back to the universities and engage with their studies.

“As it is often said that ‘idle minds are the devil’s workshop, idle lips are his mouthpiece,’” he said.

“The year 2023 is the year of our test as a nation. Rather than taking up arms to kill one another and terrifying innocent and ordinary Nigerians, adults in this nation should take up our voter’s cards and go to the polls,” he added.

He urged all Nigerians to give the Independent National Electoral Commission all the support to enable it to succeed in its assignment.

ASUU Files 14 Grounds Of Appeal Against FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has filed 14 grounds of appeal against the Federal Government before the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja.

This is coming as the National Industrial Court (NIC) ordered the union to call off its seven-month-old strike.

ASUU filed the appeal through human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, and also applied for a stay of execution of the judgment.

Recall that Justice Polycarp Hamman last Wednesday ordered the striking university lecturers to return to the classroom, pending the determination of a suit the Federal Government filed to query the legality of their strike action.

The interim injunction directing ASUU members to resume work followed an application FG filed through its lawyer, James Igwe.

Justine Hamman held that the order was both in the national interest and for the sake of undergraduates in the country that have been at home since February 14.

He held that the strike action was detrimental to public university students that cannot afford to attend private tertiary institutions.

Justice Hamman said, “The balance of convenience tilts in favour of the applicant.

“I hold that this application is meritorious and this application is granted.”

Insecurity: DSS Boss Pleads With ASUU To Call Off Strike

ASUU Strike: FG To Order Re-Opening Of Universities By Vice Chancellors

The federal government has revealed plans to order Vice Chancellors to re-open public universities in the wake of the court order mandating the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend its strike action.

The plan was made known on Wednesday by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

The Court Order

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) on Wednesday, September 21, ruled that the ASUU strike be put on hold and all public universities be re-opened while the lecturers return to their duty posts after seven months of shutting down the learning institutions.

The NICN directive was coming following a petition before the court by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, on behalf of the federal government.

Recall that students of public universities across the country have been at home since February 14, 2022.

Public Universities To Be Re-opened

Ngige, speaking on Wednesday during a meeting in Abuja with members of the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, said Vice Chancellors will be directed to re-open the universities based on the court order.

In his words, “ASUU should also know that this is a step in the right direction. And all these things have been promised to them by the Minister of Education at their last meeting with him. For me, they should do the needful and get back to the classroom.

“The government would order the vice-chancellors to reopen the universities in compliance with the order of the court.”

Negotiations Continue

The Minister added that negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would continue despite the court order directing the striking lecturers to resume work.

ASUU Reacts To Court Ruling Ordering Lecturers Back To Class

The legal representative for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said it will take appropriate action after studying the ruling of the National Industrial Court, which ordered the reopening of all public universities after seven months of closure.

A vacation Judge, Justice Polycarp Hamman, on Wednesday, ordered the varsity staff union to call off its nationwide industrial strike after disagreeing with ASUU’s lawyer, Femi Falana, that FG’s claim on the damage to students’ educational future was based on hearsay.

The Justice subsequently restrained the union from the industrial action pending the determination of the main case bordering on the terms of the agreement between the two parties ( FG and ASUU).

Speaking to newsmen, Falana, who was represented in court by Dr. Odorche Edor, said ASUU’s legal team will adopt its next line of action after going through the ruling.

“The court has ruled that members of ASUU are restrained from continuing the strike action and that they should return back to the classroom pending the determination of the substantive suit.

“As per the next action, there are quite a number of options open to the union, we will study the ruling with the legal team and then we will adopt the most appropriate option,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the court judgement that mandated the Academic Staff Union of Universities to call off its ongoing industrial action.

Reacting to the court ruling in a statement, NANS Spokesperson, Temitope Giwa, said the judgement goes against equity and fairness.

He said that rather than direct ASUU to return to the classroom, the court should have ordered the Federal Government to meet the demands of the striking lecturers.

Giwa pointed out that the moment the government took ASUU to court shows that it cannot handle a crisis, adding that the court cannot force members of ASUU to return to work. Latest ASUU Strike Update For Today 4th October 2022

ASUU Resumption directive: Stop Deceiving Students, ASUU Mocks Varsities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Monday dismissed resumption notices by University authorities directing students to appear for lectures amidst the seven months old strike.

The union said its strike remain unshakeable as those institutions were still under lock and key.

The Vice President of ASUU and its former branch chairman at the University of Jos, Dr Chris Piwuna, said these in an interview with The PUNCH.

He was reacting to the announcement by the Public Relations Officer of Imo State University, Owerri, Ralph Njoku, that it had pulled out of the ASUU nationwide strike and consequently asked its students and staff members to resume school on Tuesday, September 20.

According to him, IMSU had decided to pull out of the lingering strike in the interest of the students and staff of the institution.

“Yes. It is true. We have asked students to resume immediately. Lectures start on Tuesday. We are doing this in the best interest of our students and staff. We are not only pulling out of the ASUU strike but also asking everyone to return to school”, he said.

But Piwuna mocked the Universities saying ASUU would remain unshaken.

He said, “I don’t know why these people will never learn their lesson. Is the PRO of the University a member of our union? Does he have the mandate to speak for our members? Did we consult with him or his VC (Vice Chancellor) before we embarked on the action? They are incurable interlopers.

“Let us hear from our branch chairperson. Let them not waste the time of our students and parents.

“They said the same thing about Gombe State University, Yobe State University, Kaduna State University, and the rest. Those institutions are still under lock and key. Our strike is unshakeable.

“Our members remain resilient and single-minded about our overall goal to rescue our public Universities from the clutches of the neo-liberal, neo-colonialist.”

NANS Fixes Date To Shut Down Airports Over ASUU Strike

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced its intention to shut down all international airports due to the ongoing ASUU strike.

Flippstack reports that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on February 14, 2022, embarked on a seven-month-old strike over some demands.

Some of the union’s demands include the release of revitalisation funds for universities, payment of lecturers’ earned allowances, deployment of the University Transparency Accountability System as the payment platform for university lecturers, and renegotiation of the ASUU-FG 2009 agreement among others.

Expressing its disappointment over the failure of the Federal Government to meet the demand of ASUU on Saturday, the body threatened to shut down all international airports starting from September 19.

The association made the announcement via a statement issued by the chairman NANS national task force on “End ASUU Strike Now”, Ojo Raymond Olumide.

The statement reads: “The four-day shutdown of busy highways and expressways had been a success, hence the move to disrupt international travels in order for the bourgeois and the government to feel the pains that had subjected students to in the past seven months.

“We shall begin another round of protest next week by storming the airspaces on Monday, 19th September 2022 to #OccupyTheAirports. We want to let the world know about the pains and anguish students are going through.”

Speaking further Olumide stated that they would no longer beg FG to meet ASUU’s demands, adding that students and lecturers cannot continue to suffer while politicians send their family members to foreign universities.

The group called on Nigerian students and ASUU to join them in their resolve to shout down Nigerian airports.

“We call on students to rise and join us as we take our destinies into our hands. Our demands remain consistently clear and simple. We call on ASUU leadership for a meeting as soon as possible to discuss solidarity actions and plan for the next phase of the struggles,” he added.