ASUU STRIKE: NLC Tasks FG, Issues Ultimatum On Resolution | DETAILS
Faith Ukanwa
Apr 14, 2022
ASUU STRIKE: NLC Tasks FG, Issues Ultimatum On Resolution | DETAILS
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve pending issues with the Academic Union of Universities (ASUU).
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ASUU on Monday, February 14, embarked on a warning strike which was extended by two extra months.
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Delving into the matter, NLC has asked the FG to 'set up a high-powered panel constituted of members with requisite mandates to resolve within 21 days the foregoing issues militating against industrial harmony in the university system.'
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The ultimatum was contained in a communique released and signed by the NLC national president, Ayuba Wabba and the General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja after a meeting with ASUU; Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions; Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities and the National Association of Academic Technologists on Tuesday, April 12
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The communique read in part;
"In the light of the foregoing concerns, the meeting resolved as follows: A call on the Federal Government to immediately set up a high-powered panel constituted of members with requisite mandates to resolve within 21 days the foregoing issues militating against industrial harmony in the university system.
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"Pursuant to the foregoing resolution, the NLC would be convening a special meeting of the Central Working Committee of all the affiliate unions of the congress to decide on the next line of action."
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Read the full text of the communique below:
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Preamble:
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Congress scheduled and convened a meeting with affiliate Education Sector Unions on the 12th of April 2022. The overarching objective of the meeting was to take reports on the ongoing industrial dispute cum action in Nigeria's University system.
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The meeting which was presided by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress had in attendance the Presidents of the following unions:
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Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU);
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Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU);
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Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU); and
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National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT).
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It would be recalled that acting proactively after meeting with affiliates in the education sector, the Nigeria Labour Congress on 18th August 2020 wrote the Honourable Ministers of Education, Labour and Employment, Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the Accountant General of the Federation in a letter titled "REQUEST FOR YOUR URGENT INTERVENTION IN THE BREWING CRISIS IN NIGERIA'S TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS OVER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTEGRATED PAYROLL PERSONEL INFORMATION SYSTEM AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL CONCERNS IN OUR IVORY TOWER".
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Unfortunately, only the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment through a letter dated 28th August 2020 acknowledged the letter conveying our concerns for Nigeria's tertiary education.
Issues in Dispute:
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As captured in the letters under reference, the key issues in disputes in the current crises bedevilling Nigeria's tertiary education include:
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Re-negotiation of the 2009 Agreement which is expected to be reviewed every three years;
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Challenges with the implementation of the Integrated Payment Payroll Information System (IPPIS);
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Funding of University and Tertiary Education System in Nigeria;
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Non-payment of Arrears of Minimum Wage for University staff; and
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Earned Allowances for both Academic and Non-Academic Staff of Nigeria's Universities.
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Our Concerns:
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The intermittent and protracted strikes and other industrial actions in Nigeria's public tertiary education system;
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Non-Implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements signed with unions in Nigeria's tertiary education system which touch on university funding, earned allowances, and other welfare issues facing universities staff; and
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The fate of more than 95% of Nigerian students constituted largely by children of the poor who cannot afford to pay the average of One Million Naira school fees charged by private tertiary institutions and who are currently idling away at home while the children of the rich continue with their education.
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Our Resolutions:
In light of the foregoing concerns, the meeting resolved as follows:
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Called on the Federal Government to immediately set up a High-Powered Panel constituted of members with requisite mandates to resolve within 21 days the foregoing issues militating against industrial harmony in Nigeria's university system; and
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Pursuant to the foregoing resolution, the Nigeria Labour Congress would be convening a Special Meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of all the Affiliate Unions of the Congress to decide on the next line of action.
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Signed
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Comrade Ayuba Wabba, mni Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, mni
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President General Secretary
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Education and Empowerment
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— Faith Ukanwa