The National Universities Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, has pulled back the directive from the FG to Vice- Chancellors of Public Universities to call off the prolonged ASUU strike. This was revealed in a letter that was sent to all Pro chancellors, Chairmen of Governing Councils and Vice- Chancellors of Federal Universities, which was signed by Mr Sam Onazi, the Director of Finance and Accounts for the commission, on behalf of its Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed.
The Commission had sent out a directive through the same channel earlier, to Pro Chancellors, Chairmen of Governing Councils as well as the Vice-Chancellors, to call off the ongoing strike and open up the Federal Universities in response to the ruling of the National Industrial Court. The letter, with reference number:NUC/ES/138/VOL.64/135 was sent out; and hours later, another letter titled: ” Re: Forwarding of Court Judgement and Enforcement of Order by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/270/2022: Withdrawal of Circular ref: NUC/ES/138/VOL.64/135 dated 23rd September 2022.”
The letter read: “I have been directed to withdraw the National Universities Commission (NUC) Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135, and dated 23 September 2022 on the above subject. Consequently, the said Circular stands withdrawn. All Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of Governing Councils, as well as Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities are to please note further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.”
Another letter was attached titled: “self-explanatory letter Ref. FME/LU/HQ/S/1094/22/T/29, dated 23rd September, 2022 and the Enrolment Order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) on the above referenced Suit, as directed by the Honourable Minister of Education.”
