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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Federal Government through the National Universities Commission (NUC) has ordered vice chancellors to reopen universities and allow students resume lectures.
This was contained in a letter signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the NUC, Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed.
The letter, according to The PUNCH, was addressed to all vice chancellors, pro-chancellors and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities.
“Ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures; Restore the daily activities and routines of the various University campuses,” the letter read in part.
Recall National Industrial Court of Nigeria(NICN) had last Wednesday ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its ongoing nationwide strike.
ASUU had been on strike since February 14 to press home the demand for improved funding for universities, a review of salaries for lecturers, among other issues.
Several meetings between ASUU and the Federal Government have ended in a deadlock.
This promoted the Federal Government to challenge the strike at the NICN.