In an apparent bid to whittle the influence of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on lecturers, the federal government has summoned pro-chancellors and vice-chancellors of federal universities to a meeting slated for September 6, 2022.
While ASUU had on Monday refused to shift ground and indefinitely extended its six-month industrial action, its influence was beginning to wane, with more state-owned universities pulling out of the strike and calling staff and students back to school.
This is even as some lecturers from state-owned universities are considering breaking away from ASUU to form a new union.
The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-owned Universities (COPSUN) had on Monday called for the “immediate democratisation of the membership of unions in the universities to the extent of the freedom of any individual to belong to a union with options of not belonging.”
It held that the unions are not superior to the councils of the universities that are their employers.
The pro-chancellors made the call while criticising ASUU president, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, for referring to some state-owned universities in the country as quacks.
The pro-chancellors said the statement is insulting, contemptuous and unbecoming for the president of ASUU to say that these revered individuals were presiding over quack and inconsequential universities.
The secretary of the committee, Marcus Awobifa, also pointed out that state universities cannot be forced to implement agreements reached between the federal government and her workers in the universities to which they are not parties.
It appeared yesterday that the federal government may have taken advantage of the discontent with ASUU among school heads, just as it summoned them to a meeting.
They are to meet with the minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu to deliberate on issues concerning the ongoing strike by ASUU.
The meeting is scheduled to be held at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja.
The letter inviting the vice Chancellors marked NUC/ES/138/VOL. 64/125 was signed by the deputy executive secretary, Administration, Chris Maiyaki, on behalf of the executive secretary.
The letter titled, “Industrial actions by university-based unions: Invitation to a special interactive meeting with the Honourable Minister of Education”, reads in parts: “As the pro-chancellors and the chairmen of councils and the vice-chancellors are quite aware, the industrial action by university-based unions has led to the closure of the institutions since February 14, 2022.
“You are also aware that the non-teaching unions have suspended their industrial actions with effect from 24th August, 2022, while a final decision is being awaited from the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.
“It has become necessary for the Governing Councils and the managements of the universities to be briefed on the decisions and actions taken by the Federal Government so far, to allow for a well-coordinated review of the situation, including building consensus around succeeding actions.”
Embarking on indefinite strike after holding a National Executive Council meeting, ASUU in its official twitter handle said it would boycott further negotiation with the Buhari-led administration because of its insistence of “no work no pay policy.”
ASUU added that fresh negotiations “may” start after the swearing in ceremony of a new government on May 29, 2023.
Reacting to the tweet, some Nigerians wondered what the union would do if the incoming government also adopts the “no work no pay “principle?
Meanwhile, governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress yesterday appealed to ASUU to suspend its indefinite strike.
Chairman of the progressive governors’ forum (PGF) and Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu, made the appeal at the presidential villa where he led other APC governors to meet with Vice President Yemi Osinajo who has been recovering from leg surgery.
Bagudu implored ASUU to be mindful of the next generation.
He said, “Remember during a Salah visit when we paid a visit to the president in Daura, Mr President appealed to ASUU and said that ASUU should be mindful of the future of the next generation.
“He didn’t play the blame game. He spoke as a father and I think he even went further to say that even if ASUU had been offended, they should please think about our next generation.
“I think that this is the best statesmanly statement that can come and we are all appealing to ASUU in particular and indeed all stakeholders.
JUST-IN: ASUU Declares Comprehensive, Indefinite Strike
“Let us do what will ensure that we don’t miss out. Nigeria is competing with other countries. We do not have the luxury of time. So we will continue to urge all stakeholders.
On the reason for the visit, he said, “We came to express our happiness that he (Osinbajo) has recovered from a serious medical procedure he undertook, and to appreciate him, particularly for showing confidence in yet again the Nigerian medical establishment because he had the procedure here in Nigeria.
“We had the opportunity for him to tell us how capable the team that helped out is and also recommend that many Nigerians should take steps to find out the amazing opportunities and capacity that is in the medical establishment.
“We felicitated him, and we thank him for his leadership of the Nigerian National Economic Council. We came strictly to greet him and appreciate him?”
On why they earlier met with President Muhammadu Buhari, Bagudu said, “There have been some announcements. I think the President as we all know is the chairman of the campaign council and the director general in the person of Simon Lalong has been announced. And campaigns by law are going to start later at the end of September. So before then, there’s nothing more we can say.
“We are very proud that consistent with the democratic traditions around the world and in Nigeria, party members have acted commendably. We had one of the free and fairest primaries Nigeria has ever recorded.
“We can only compare it to the 2014 primaries in Lagos which produced the then-candidate but now President Muhammadu Buhari. So we are very proud of our party’s conduct where every aspirant was given a free and fair opportunity and because that is the case our party men and women across the country were able to mobilize and participate in showing all party members why they should remain in APC and work for APC and pray that APC continues to govern Nigeria.
On medical tourism, Bagudu said “I just mentioned how happy we are that the vice president showed confidence in our medical professionals and he drew our attention to something that we didn’t know.”
He said that in other countries, medical professionals can advertise their skills, adding that in Nigeria, there is a professional code of conduct that denies them the opportunity.
“So, he invited us to look at that so that we can also maybe put pressure so that Nigerian medical professionals can be at par with their professionals in the world, meaning that we will know the capacity and competence that are here locally and I’m sure this will put an end to medical tourism,” he added.
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