By Adedoyin Oguntade
As the Nigerian government moves to invoke the “no work, no pay,” rule against the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), a breakaway faction of the union- Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has announced that its are not on strike.
In a statement, issued by the union and signed by its National President, Niyi Sunmonu, CONUA said the position was aimed at informing the public of its stance on the current conflict within the university education system.
CONUA said its commitment to academic stability and the smooth functioning of universities in the country through constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement still stands.
The union, however, appealed to vice-chancellors of universities across the country, especially where CONUA members exist, to ensure their safety and protection as they proceed with their activities.
The union also reassured Nigerian students, stating, “We equally encourage students to remain focused on their academic pursuits without fear of interruption. The union stands by its commitment to quality education, national development, and peaceful industrial relations in the university system.”
Backstory
ASUU had on Sunday declared a two-week industrial action, describing the government’s draft agreement, presented at an emergency meeting held on Friday, as “a total departure from the letter and spirit of the ‘Review of the Draft 2022 Agreement’” previously submitted to the government by the Mr Ahmed-led renegotiation committee.
The government, however, said it was dissatisfied with the union’s position, and threatened to invoke the “no work, no pay” rule.
CONUA’s grouse
CONUA said it has no reason to declare a strike action because it was omitted in October 2024 when the Yayale Ahmed-led Renegotiation Committee was inaugurated.
In October 2024, the Federal Government appointed Mr Ahmed, the Pro-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as the chairman of the 2009 Federal Government Renegotiation Committee. The committee had since submitted its report before it was further tasked to accommodate issues raised by other university workers’ unions.
Meanwhile, according to Mr Sunmonu, CONUA had an exclusive meeting in September with the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, a medical doctor, after which the union was added to the committee.
The statement reads in part, “Until CONUA is formally brought to the table and any of the issues it has presented to the Federal Government becomes subjects of dispute, there is no foundation whatsoever for any strike action by CONUA.”
About CONUA
According to the information available on its website, CONUA was conceived and established by “about 750 academic staff (lecturers) of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, on 12th February 2018, at a meeting held in the Humanities’ Block I Auditorium of the university.”
It added that the union’s formal inauguration took place on 6th March 2018 at the same venue, with over 120 members in attendance, including representatives from the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University, Malete.
“Since then, there have been requests from other campuses, with similar experiences to those of OAU, to join the union,” the union boasted.
