ASUU strike: Ngige reveals what he will do if lecturers refuse to resume by Tuesday
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has revealed what will happen next if striking university lecturers fail to resume work by Tuesday next week.
It will be recalled that the National Industrial Court ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), that has been on strike since February 14, 2022, to reopen schools and resume academic activities.
ASUU is however adamant, as it claims the federal government has not fulfilled any part of its side of the deal.
But Ngige, who issued a threat on Friday during an interview monitored on Channels TV, disclosed that he had directed labour controllers to monitor compliance at all tertiary institutions across the states.
“The court says ASUU must obey today (Friday). I have asked labour controllers in the 36 states and the zones to reach out to the universities; number one, to see if the vice chancellors have opened the gates because that is one of the imports of the judgment of the Industrial Court.
“You must open the gates, you must open the class rooms and to see whether those workers, those teachers reported today, tomorrow Friday and Saturday. My labour controllers will write me a report.
“The Education Ministry through the NUC will also do their bit and we will compare it. By Tuesday, if they have complied with this, first, they will have the right to appeal as the court says.
“If they come back to their classroom, they will have time to attach evidence and do their appeal. My labour controllers will also give me things to support education in the country. If they don’t, go and read that portion of the NICN Act, they will be charged for contempt,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ASUU has said it will study the ruling of the appeal court which ordered its members to return back to work.
The union’s national president, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke reacted on behalf of the union.
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