The National Industrial Court of Nigeria on Wednesday directs the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end the ongoing nationwide strike.
Recall that the industrial action has lasted for seven months.
The Court invoked section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act and national interest of the Nigerian students to grant the request of the Federal Government for an order of injunction against the lecturers.
Justice Polycap Hamman directed the order for suspension of the strike while ruling in an application filed by the Federal Government asking that the University teachers be compelled to go back to work pending the resolution of their demands for better working conditions.
Justice Hamman noted that “students have been out of school for seven months in Nigeria, where age is a factor in employment.”
The judge also noted that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) bars graduates from 30 years from participating in youth service.
Justice Hamman also noted that the prolonged strike has inflicted irreparable damage on students, who have been at home since February 14, 2022.
The judge held that the strike was detrimental to students in public universities, who lack the financial capacity to afford private institutions.
Justice Hamman said: “I therefore hold that the balance of convenience tilts in favour of granting the application.”
He proceeded to issue an order, restraining ASUU, “whether by themselves, members, agents, privies or howsoever called, from taking further steps and doing any act in continuance of the strike action, pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed.”
Justice Hamman, who said he acted as the court’s vacation judge, explained that the case filed would be returned to the court’s President for reassignment after the vacation.
According to TheCable, the federal government, through its counsel, James Igwe, plead with the court for an interlocutory injunction restraining ASUU from taking further steps as regards the strike, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
