Strike: FG breaks ASUU ranks; registers, presents certificates to two breakaway academic unions

The Federal Government registered two unions in the university system on Tuesday, breaking the ranks of The Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU).

The National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics  (CONUA) are the unions.

Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Productivity, explained that the two bodies will coexist with ASUU.

The National Coordinator of CONUA, a separate body of academic unions with a presence in a few federal universities, is ‘Niyi Sunmonu, a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

The message by the Ministry of Labour read, “The Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige cordially invites you to the recognition and presentation of Certificate of Registration to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics”

It added, “Your media organisation is invited to cover the event and strictly by invitation.”

Newsclick Nigeria reports ASUU has been on strike since February 14 to press home its demands.

Despite a ruling by the National Industrial Court on Sept 21, 2022 ordering the university to return to work, the University lecturers have remained adamant.

Last week, ASUU, through its lawyers, filed an appeal against the court ruling.