Nigerian government moves to break Academic Staff Union of Universities, registers two new unions

The Nigerian government has registered two more academic unions of universities, with the presentation of certificates of registration, the unions registered to exist side by side by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)

Penpushing reports that, the unions include: Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), a development considered as method to break the leadership of the universities academic body.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who presented both unions with certificates of registration at the Ministry on Tuesday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), advised the newly registered academic unions not to interfere with the activities of the university management and the governing council.

Penpushing further reports that, Ngige who cited the International Labour Organisation(ILO) convention to back the registration of the two unions, pointed out that the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) is interfering with the rights of employers by insisting that the University Transparency and Accountability Solutions (UTAS) be adopted as a payment platform for its members

The Minister had accused President of the Academic Staff Universities Union (ASUU), Prof Emmanuel Osodeke of deliberately frustrating government’s efforts at resolving the crisis and mobilising Nigerians against the government.

Penpushing also reports that, in reaction to Ngige allegation, Osodeke declared that the Minister was peddling lies against the union, while it is recalled that the duo have constantly engaged in confrontation.

The development was, however, speculated as being President Muhammad Buhari’s directive that the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, should take over the negotiations, while it is also recalled that, both Nigige and Osodeke had engaged in hot arguments at a meeting on Thursday conveyed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila.

Penpushing reports that, Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), a rival academic union to the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), started its registration process in 2018, while its leader ‘Niyi Sunmonu, a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), has constantly dissociated itself from any strike declared by the union.

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