By Iffy.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been advised by the Federal Goverment, to obey the National Industrial Court ruling and call off its ongoing nationwide strike, while negotiations is ongoing.
The Minister of Labour of Employment, Senator Chris Ngige gave the advise while responding to journalists at the Federal Government of Nigeria, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and European Union, HighLevel Side Event on the margins of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, and the Official Launch of the Nigeria Integrated National Financing Framework Report (NIFF).
Recall the strike action which has lingered since March has generated mixed controversy across the nation, and on Wednesday, attracted an interlocutory injunction from the National Industrial Court (NIC), pending the determination of a suit filed by the Federal Government.
Responding to a question on how soon ASUU will call off the strike, the Minister of Labour said;
“I’m not ASUU but the maximum in law is that when there is a court judgment or ruling or order you must first obey and then can apply for an appeal if you so desire or for stay, that is, stay of execution.
“So we expect them to get back to the classrooms but that doesn’t foreclose negotiations, the negotiations should be on as a matter of fact, it will be on officially and non officially.”