By our reporter| The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday said it will appeal the court ruling which directed the union to call off its nationwide strike.
ASUU has 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.
Following the failure to resolve the strike after several meetings between ASUU and government, the federal government, last week approached the national industrial court to challenge the strike.
Delivering a ruling on Wednesday, Polycarp Hamman, the judge, granted the federal government’s application for an interlocutory injunction to restrain ASUU from continuing with the strike.
The judge ordered members of the union to resume work pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
According to the judge, the strike is detrimental to public university students who cannot afford to attend private tertiary institutions.
Reacting to the ruling, Femi Falana, counsel to ASUU, said the ruling will be challenged at the court of appeal.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also criticised the ruling, describing it as a betrayal of equity.
According to Giwa Temitope, NANS national public relations officer, the court’s decision does not offer a permanent solution to the dispute as lecturers cannot be forced to resume their duties.
-We are open to continuing negotiation with ASUU despite court ruling – FG
Meanwhile, the federal government has confirmed that negotiation with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will continue despite Wednesday’s court order directing the teachers to return to work.
Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, said this on Wednesday when members of the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics paid him a visit in Abuja.
Speaking on the court ruling, Ngige said the federal government is still open to negotiations with ASUU.
“The court ruling does not preclude us from going on with further negotiation and consultations,’’ he said.
“It is no victor, no vanquished.
“You doctors in academics are for now members of ASUU. But you are here, even though you have dissociated yourselves and you are working.
“We want to thank you for working and teaching your students.”
On the recent meeting between ASUU and the leadership of the house of representatives, Ngige commended Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house, and other lawmakers for their efforts.
“Since the house has showed interest now, it is good and wonderful. When they bring that proposal, the executive will not have any problem,” Ngige said.
“ASUU should also know that this is a step in the right direction. All these things have been promised them by the minister of education at their last meeting.
“For me, they should do the needful and go back to the classroom,” adding that the federal government would soon direct vice-chancellors to reopen the universities in compliance with the order of court.
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