At a ceremony in Abuja, the Federal Government presented certificates of registration to the newly registered Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), and National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), as rivals to the existing ASUU and NARD
Chris Ngige, the minister of Labour and Employment said, “In doing this, both unions are officially recognised and have been registered to unbundle the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as well as the National Association of Resident Doctors(NARD).”
He said that both unions have been officially gazetted and they are entitled to all labour rights as contained in the Nigerian Constitution and International Labour Organisation (ILO), convention.
He also said that the federal government was working out modalities for payment of withheld salaries of CONUA and NAMDA members during the period of the ASUU strike, adding that it would amount to injustice if they were victimised because they were never part of the strike in the first instance.
Mr Ngige also said that the alleged lack of democracy transparency and failure to provide proper account of check off dues by ASUU, both to her members and the government, led to the emergence of the new unions; and the gazzetting and certificate presentation were in conformity with section 3:2 of the International Trade Union Convention.
Ngige said: “Trade unionism is for workers and employers of labour to organise themselves and its a voluntary act.
“Prior to 2020, CONUA had approached the ministry complaining of lack of democracy, transparency in the leadership of ASUU, especially in rendering proper account of their check up dues remitted from government.
“Based on these grievances the ministry decided to register the members of CONUA to operate as a full-fledged union for which we have issued a certificate of registration and gazzetting which is part of section 3:2 of the ITUC. Unbundling is not new, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners(NUP), NEPA and NNPC have been unbundled,’’he said.
NAMDA President, Dr Ali Ramat; and Dr Niyi Sunmonu, CONUA President, commended Ngige, for the presentation of the certificate and said that the high-handedness of ASUU’s leadership gave birth to the association.
“Now that CONUA has been given official backing through the presentation of certificate, the era of incessant strikes in the university system was over,” he said.
He protested the remittance of members’ check-off dues to ASUU, while urging the minister to intervene and reverse the trend going forward.
“Today is a historic day and it is exciting to be back to this great Ministry in the conclusion of the final phase of the registration of CONUA, which is marked by the collection of certificates.
“We appreciate the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, and his remarkable team for finalising the registration of CONUA with the issuance of the certificate of registration of the Union to us today.
“In CONUA, our primary purpose at all times has been to promote the welfare of our members, while being constantly conscious of the overriding national interest.
“With this complete registration, we assure Nigerians that we shall embark on meaningful and realistic discussions and negotiations with the Federal Government and all other stakeholders on how we can get a better deal for university lecturers.
“Also indeed for better working of the entire system without necessarily rocking and sinking the boat,’’ Sunmonu said.
He said that the inappropriate remittance to ASUU could be seen on the payslips of CONUA members for the months that were affected and that CONUA had expressly written to the right authorities to stop remitting its check-off dues to ASUU.
“In other words, CONUA was recognised by law as a bonafide trade union right from the time it was formed in 2018, and it was entitled to collect the check-off dues of its members by and for itself.
“We implore the support and cooperation of the Federal Government, as we take off effectively; we assure you that we will not let this nation down as we shall diligently continue to perform our duties,’’ he said.
As they hope for a better educational system, Nigerian Students and Nigerians at large are left to wonder if this development will actually bring an end to the strikes that lead to a four year course becoming 6 years.
