Amidst the ongoing industrial action, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has dragged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, over the unending strike of the union.
In a leaked letter which was written to the Chief Registrar of the court, dated September 8, 2022, Ngige alleged the refusal of ASUU to call off its strike which began February 14, 2022, and thereby, prayed the court to accelerate hearing on the matter in order to bring the dispute between the union and the government to an end.
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The letter was titled, ‘Forwarding of a Referral Instrument in the Trade Dispute Between the FG/Federal Ministry of Education and ASUU.’
It partly read, ‘Please find attached three original copies of a Referral Instrument regarding the trade dispute between the FG /Federal Ministry of Education and ASUU for adjudication by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
‘The Referral Instrument is raised in fine with powers vested in the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment by trade dispute resolution mechanisms and the provision of Section 17 of the Trade Dispute Act. CAP. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
‘In view of the fact that ASUU members have been on strike since February 14, 2022, and have refused to call off the action, it would be appreciated if this dispute is given an accelerated hearing in order to bring the dispute to an end.’
Adamu Adamu who is the Nigerian Minister of Education, had recently come out to note that the Federal Government of Nigeria can only afford a 23.5% salary increase for lecturers.
However, it has also been announced that the Nigerian Professors will get a 35% increment as well.
Adamu had also mentioned this during a meeting on Tuesday with some of the vice-chancellors and other university stakeholders.
The minister noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had warned against signing agreements which the government will not be able to meet.