The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities has called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to avert another strike in the nation’s university system following the lingering dispute with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its 69th meeting in Abuja and signed by its acting chairman, Prof. Ayodeji Omole, the pro-chancellors warned that Nigerian universities could not withstand a fresh round of industrial action.
“The nation cannot afford another round of industrial action in the university system as the universities are yet to fully recover from the disruptions of the last crisis,” the communiqué stated.
ASUU recently staged nationwide protests to press home its long-standing demand for the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 FG-ASUU agreement.
The union has consistently sought clear commitments on improved salaries, conditions of service, funding of universities, autonomy, and a review of laws governing the National Universities Commission.
To forestall fresh conflict, the pro-chancellors urged the government to increase budgetary allocations to education annually and to involve COPSUN representatives in negotiations and dispute resolution whenever national trade disputes involving university unions arise.
“Governments must review annually and increase budgetary allocations to education to strengthen the universities. COPSUN representatives should also be part of negotiations with university-based unions to ensure smoother and more effective dispute resolution,” the communiqué added.
The pro-chancellors further advised that governing councils must operate strictly within the provisions of university laws to avoid unnecessary friction with vice-chancellors and other principal officers.
In a related development, the body commended the Federal Government for placing a moratorium on the proliferation of universities, noting that the move would help strengthen existing institutions.
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