By Alice Etuka, Abuja
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter at the University of Abuja have embarked on an indefinite strike in reaction to a protracted dispute between them and the government.
The union declared its intention to commence the industrial action after its congress held at the institution’s permanent site on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
TheFact Daily gathered that there had been disagreement between UniAbuja ASUU members, Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, and Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’allah, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor (VC) regarding the process for appointing a new VC.
An advertorial that surfaced in a national daily on March 15, 2024, sought a replacement for Na’Allah.
However, ASUU members, in a conference, rejected the advertorial, declared it “illegal,” and stated that it was not from the governing council.
Speaking about the development, Chairman of UniAbuja ASUU, Sylvanus Ugoh stated that only the governing council had the authority to advertise the VC’s seat when it was declared empty under the Universities Miscellaneous Provision Act of 1993, as modified in 2003 and 2012 (Section 3, subsections 1 and 2).
He said that the authority to start the process of selecting a new VC did not lawfully belong to any other body or person.
