FG makes U-turn, withdraws order to reopen varsities
In a new twist, the Federal Government, on Monday, withdrew its circular, which ordered Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Chancellors and Governing Councils to re-open federal universities.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) had earlier issued a circular tagged NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135, addressed to all VCs; Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of Governing Councils of federal universities, ordering them to re-open universities.
But surprisingly, hours later, in another circular tagged NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/136, which was also signed by the Director, Finance and Account of NUC, Sam Onazi, the Commission withdrew the order, though it did not explain why.
The letter tagged, “withdrawal of circular NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135” partly reads: “I have been directed to withdraw the NUC Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 and dated September 23 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“Consequently, the said circular stands withdrawn.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. Please accept the assurances of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed’s warmest regards.”
Before the directive was withdrawn, Vice-Chancellors of public universities were reluctant to carry out the order, saying they were studying the letter issued by Federal Government through NUC, ordering them to reopen schools and allow students to resume lectures.
Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, said to ensure the strike did not continue after reopening the institutions, the VCs were studying the letter so as not to reopen the schools and still discover that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are still on strike.
Reacting to the earlier directive, the National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said FG was not talking to his members.
He said: “We are not holding the keys to the campuses. We did not shut down any university. Those who shut down the universities are the ones who can decide to open them or not.
“As for us going back to work, the government is not talking to us. We did not institute the case at the Industrial Court, some people took us there and we have done the needful of exercising our right to appeal,” he added.
On when the appellate court would hear the matter, Osodeke said no date has been fixed yet.
Also, ASUU chairman of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Ayoola Akinwole, said the Federal Government owned the universities and can decide when to close and open them. However, ASUU members will not be in classes but will continue to do their research and community services.
He said: “We remain committed to our resolve to prosecute the strike and our members have resolved not to be caged by tyrannical orders. As you know, we have appealed the Industrial Court ruling. Our members will have nothing to do with teaching, supervision nor attend statutory meetings until our demands are met and the strike is suspended by the leadership of the union,” he said.
Mixed reactions, yesterday, trailed FG’s directive to university teachers to resume as lecturers kicked against it, saying the order is a clear demonstration of a lack of respect for intellectualism.
But others called on the striking lecturers to consider the plight of students who have been forced to stay home for almost eight months and return to the classroom.
Director of the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan, Prof Tajudeen Akanji, said the order was a clear violation of section 2(a)(a) of the Universities Miscellaneous Act, which states that universities shall be run by councils and issues or circulars from the ministries that run counter to this law shall not affect the university.
