In their separate responses to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday both the leadership of ASUU and that of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU confirmed the appeal and promised that their members would give the final verdict.
Striking university workers’ unions have said their members would “consider” the appeal by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) which seeks the suspension of their ongoing strike while negotiations continue.
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).
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.”
Meanwhile, in their separate responses to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday, the leadership of ASUU and that of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU confirmed the appeal and promised that their members would give the final verdict.
About the appeal
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 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.
“That is why we plead with the unions to see the need to call off the strike while we keep negotiating.”
The statement also quoted the co-chairman of NIREC and president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Supo Ayokunle, as noting that the poor funding of the universities did not just start, “but borne out of long periods of neglect by previous governments, which snowballed to our present situation.”
ASUU speaks
The President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke, a professor, told PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday that the union would consider the appeal and make its decision known.
He 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.
JAC reacts
Reacting on behalf of JAC of SSANU and NASU on Saturday, the national vice-president of SSANU for the Western zone, Abdussobur Salaam, said the unions have referred the appeal to various organs of the unions for consideration.
According to Mr Salaam, members of NIREC are respected religious elders and role models in society. He appreciated them for their intervention.
He, however, urged the members to also appeal to the government to always live up to their promises and imbibe a culture of trustworthiness.
“We are not strange to appeals as parents fora, students’ bodies have also reached out at one time or the other.
“Everyone is respected, and especially the NIREC leadership. But we have found ourselves at this level because of the insincerity of the government. So it is also important for the government to be appealed to for a change of character.
“We have referred the appeal to the relevant organs of our unions and I can assure you that in the coming days, our decision will be made public.”
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