Fresh strike looms in Nigeria’s federal universities as members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will on Monday hold a crucial meeting to decide on whether to go on full strike or adopt sit-at-home or other form of protest.
The decision to convene the emergency NEC meeting, which is to be held at the ASUU National Secretariat on the University of Abuja campus, is coming on the heels of October salary cut received by members of the union.
A NEC member confirmed on Saturday that members of the union across all the branches were disappointed about the action of Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.
The official said their members had it on good authority that it was the minister who wrote to the necessary quarters, directing them not to fully pay October salary to lecturers.
“I can confirm that, ASUU NEC will meet on Monday, November 7, to take a decision on strike action or not. This is an aftermath of half-salary paid by the Nigerian govt.
“Branches say they are disappointed in the FG. The union should have a decision on the same day,” he told Daily Trust on the phone.
President of the union, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke could not be reached for comments as at when filing this report.
ASUU had called off an eight-month strike on October 14, following court rulings and the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila.