The National Industrial Court, NIC, has summoned the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to appear before it tomorrow, Monday, in Abuja, over the protracted strike by members of ASUU that has shut the nation’s university system since February.
The summon followed the referral of the protracted dispute between the Federal Government and ASUU to the NIC by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige.
The Federal Government is, among others, praying the court to the court to order ASUU to resume academic activities.
In a letter referring the dispute to NIC dated September 8, 2022, titled FORWARDING OF A REFERRAL INSTRUMENT IN THE TRADE DISPUTE BETWEEN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT/FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND THE ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES, the Labour and Employment Minister, among others, noted that “The Referral Instrument is raised in line with powers vested on the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment by trade dispute resolution mechanisms and the provision of Section {7 of the Trade Dispute Act, CAP. 18, Laws of the Federation af Nigeria (LFN), 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 despite apprehension of same, it would be appreciated if this dispute is given an accelerated hearing in order to bring the dispute to an end.
