Nigeria government flip-flops and withdraws letter asking vice-chancellors to reopen universities
The Nigerian government has withdrawn its previous directive asking the management of federal universities to reopen institutions “to ensure that striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) resume and begin their courses immediately” .
The latest development was contained in another letter from the National Universities Commission (NUC) dated September 26.
Like the previous copy containing the "marching order", the new letter was also signed by NUC Finance and Accounts Director, Sam Onazi, on behalf of Executive Secretary, Abubakar Rasheed.
>Earlier Friday, the agency had ordered the management of all federal universities to comply with the National Labor Court (NIC) order ordering ASUU members to return to classrooms in awaiting the decision on the substantive question before it.
The government had asked the Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors to ensure that the lecturers on strike resume and start their classes immediately.
U-turnThe government directive had confused the university leadership as the vice-chancellors did not know how to make the decision.
The confusion is heightened by the pending application for a stay of execution to the Court of Appeal by the striking union's lawyer, Femi Falana, a senior lawyer from Nigeria.
Femi Falana (SAN)But the new letter from NUC that was sent to Federal Universities Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors is titled; "Withdrawal of Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/ 135 dated September 23, 2022."
The new letter referenced NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/136 and dated September 26, reads in part; “I have been instructed to withdraw the National Universities Commission (NUC) Circular Ref, NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 and dated September 23, 2022 on the above subject. Accordingly, said circular is withdrawn.
“All Pro-Chancellors and Chairs of the Boards of Trustees, as well as Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities should take note. Further developments and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.”
The letter, however, did not give reasons for the withdrawal, but it may not be unrelated to criticism from many Nigerians who have taken to social media to comment on the development. backlash
Earlier on Monday, many Nigerians, including members of the leadership of various institutions, had condemned the government's directive for "ignoring the application for a stay of execution filed with the court of appeal against the order of the NIC by the teachers' union".
While some members of the university administration were talking to...
The Nigerian government has withdrawn its previous directive asking the management of federal universities to reopen institutions “to ensure that striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) resume and begin their courses immediately” .
The latest development was contained in another letter from the National Universities Commission (NUC) dated September 26.
Like the previous copy containing the "marching order", the new letter was also signed by NUC Finance and Accounts Director, Sam Onazi, on behalf of Executive Secretary, Abubakar Rasheed.
>Earlier Friday, the agency had ordered the management of all federal universities to comply with the National Labor Court (NIC) order ordering ASUU members to return to classrooms in awaiting the decision on the substantive question before it.
The government had asked the Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors to ensure that the lecturers on strike resume and start their classes immediately.
U-turnThe government directive had confused the university leadership as the vice-chancellors did not know how to make the decision.
The confusion is heightened by the pending application for a stay of execution to the Court of Appeal by the striking union's lawyer, Femi Falana, a senior lawyer from Nigeria.
Femi Falana (SAN)But the new letter from NUC that was sent to Federal Universities Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors is titled; "Withdrawal of Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/ 135 dated September 23, 2022."
The new letter referenced NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/136 and dated September 26, reads in part; “I have been instructed to withdraw the National Universities Commission (NUC) Circular Ref, NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 and dated September 23, 2022 on the above subject. Accordingly, said circular is withdrawn.
“All Pro-Chancellors and Chairs of the Boards of Trustees, as well as Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities should take note. Further developments and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.”
The letter, however, did not give reasons for the withdrawal, but it may not be unrelated to criticism from many Nigerians who have taken to social media to comment on the development. backlash
Earlier on Monday, many Nigerians, including members of the leadership of various institutions, had condemned the government's directive for "ignoring the application for a stay of execution filed with the court of appeal against the order of the NIC by the teachers' union".
While some members of the university administration were talking to...
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