Set up of factional union with ASUU by FG hits the rock

Posted by allcitynews.ng from vanguard

Attempt by Federal Government to break the unity of ASUU rather than meeting their demands by setting up a parallel union, Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) has hit the rock.

Human Rights Activist and Nigerian Constitutional Lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) who made this known, described the newly formed unions, Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) and Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), as illegal and not recognised by law.

Falana, gave a legal perspective on the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU-Federal Government fallout in an interview on Arise TV’s Newsday on Wednesday 5 October 2022. He also   examined the implications that come with the new unions.

He said, “Under the current Labour Law regime in Nigeria, you cannot have two unions or three unions in the same sector.

“In other words, within the academia in Nigeria, there can only be one registered trade union that is the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) registered pursuant to the Trade Union Act as amended.

“We are going to have a mushrooming of trade unions, which threatens industrial peace in the country. We cannot have two unions in the university nor can we have two unions in other unions in the country.  Politically it won’t work,” he said.

Falana described the registration as illegal and a desperate measure by the government to break the strike.

He said, “Government has tried various measures but the latest one is perhaps going to embarrass the government because it is an illegal exercise and won’t work. ASUU is today one of the most organised and united trade unions in Africa.

Implication

Falana said the registration of splinter unions will result in proliferation of academic unions, adding that the economy will suffer for it.

He advised the government to return to the drawing table and ensure that proper advice is sought in order not to expose the country to ridicule.

Recall that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige on Tuesday, 4 October 2022 approved the registration of CONUA and NAMDA and ordered the unions to return to classrooms.

According to Ngige, CONUA and NAMDA broke away from ASUU and declared their rejection of the Union’s modus-operandi