Minister of labour and employment, Dr Chris Ngige yesterday assured the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that the court ruling which obliged the union to call off over seven months strike does not preclude further negotiation.
The minister who declared the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) order as “no victor, no vanquished” said the ruling is in the best interest of the nation and a win-win situation for both government, students, lecturers and all Nigerians.
According to a statement that was issued by the ministry’s head of press and public relations, Olajide Oshundun, Ngige made the declaration in Abuja while receiving members of the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) in his office.
He said, “Indeed I have just gotten the order of court asking ASUU to go back to work.It is a sound judgment, It is no victor, no vanquished, you doctors in academics are for now members of ASUU, but, you are here, even though you have dissociated yourself and you are working, we want to thank you for working and teaching your students.
The court ruling does not preclude us from going on with further negotiation and consultations, the pro-chancellors met Mr. President and made some demands, such as topping up government offer and seeing whether there could be some bailout. Mr. President said in considering it, he will consult stakeholders. So, he is going to consult everybody.”
Ngige also welcomed the intervention of the House of Representatives in the ASUU imbroglio, saying he was happy that the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila said they were going to meet the President.
He said the intervention was timely considering that the President must have also consulted some stakeholders, adding that whatever money to be put in would go into the 2023 appropriation where the National Assembly comes in.
