By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
TO break the ranks of striking Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU), the Federal Government, on Tuesday, registered two labour unions in the university system.
The unions are the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA).
Stonix News reports that CONUA is a union for lecturers across the nation’s universities and it is led by a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Niyi Sunmonu.
The breakaway group was established in 2018 at OAU.
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, while excitedly presenting the certificates to the unions, explained that the two bodies would co-exist with ASUU.
He further stated that the two associations would enjoy the rights and privileges accorded to other academic unions in the tertiary education system.
It is not clear what the implication of recognising the bodies will be on the seven month-long industrial action embarked upon by ASUU.
It will be recalled that ASUU has been on strike since February 14.
In August, the union declared a “total and indefinite” extension of its industrial action.
It noted that the Federal Government has failed to satisfactorily meets its demands.
The academics are seeking improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities and academic autonomy, among other demands.
Most contentious on its demands for the academics is the non-payment of university revitalisation funds, which amounts to about N1.1 trillion.
But the Federal Government has said it doesn’t have the money to pay such an amount, citing low oil prices during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
What's your reaction?
