UniAbuja ASUU suspends strike after 82 days

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter, has announced the immediate suspension of its 82-day strike.

ASUU Chairman Sylvanus Ugoh announced the suspension of the strike at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, shortly after the union’s congress.

Mr Ugoh justified the suspension of the strike by citing the union’s negotiations with the institution’s new board of directors, which promised to examine and take into account all the union’s demands.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that ASUU began an indefinite strike on May 2 to protest against alleged violations of existing laws, including those relating to the recruitment and promotion of staff, due to the lack of a board of directors.

Other issues, according to the union, include the alleged illegal advertising of the position of Vice Chancellor by the then government under Abdulrasheed Na’Alla and appointments without due process.

Mr Ugoh said the council met with the union and, in accordance with due process, agreed to remove the advertisement and publish a new one.

He said the council had also agreed to a review of the recruitment process and promotion issue opposed by the union, particularly in 2022/2023.

“In these 82 days we have spoken to the former Vice Chancellor, but he has not changed his position.

“He refused to follow the rules; he refused to follow the law establishing the university and to follow due process.

“After all procedures failed, the union began a comprehensive and indefinite strike,” he said.

Mr Ugoh said that since the council was established, the union had been in dialogue with the council and the university management.

He said the council met with ASUU on July 18 and informed them in writing of the issues related to the strike.

“The council wrote to the union and agreed to cancel the previously placed advertisement and re-advertise the position of Vice-Chancellor and that was indeed the union’s demand.

“The Council also agreed with the union to review the recruitment process, which was carried out without due process.

“According to the law, the process of recruiting staff at the university is clear: an advertisement must appear in the national daily newspaper.

“This procedure was not followed, but the council has agreed to review it and re-engage with the union,” he said.

Mr Ugoh said the Council had also agreed to review the promotion process, particularly the process for 2022/2023.

He added that the new council had also ordered elections to be held for the positions of Dean of Faculties and Provost of the College of Health Sciences.

“Regarding the position of Director of the Microfinance Bank, the Acting Vice-Chancellor informed us through the Secretary of the Bank that the union should take its seat on the Board of Directors.

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“Against this background and also in honour of the new Council and the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, the union has considered the Council’s proposals and we have just concluded the Congress.

“Congress unanimously decided to suspend the strike so that the university administration can address the issues,” he said.

(NAN)