The Federal Government on Tuesday broke the ranks of The Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU) when it presented a certificate of registration to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA).
Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, presented the certificate to CONUA on Tuesday.
Ngige also presented a certificate of registration to the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA).
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, explained that the two bodies will exist alongside ASUU.
CONUA is a union for lecturers across the nation’s universities and it is led by a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Niyi Sunmonu.
The group was established in 2018 at OAU.
Ngige stated that the two associations will enjoy the rights and privileges accorded to other academic unions in the tertiary education system.
It is not clear what the implication of recognising the bodies will be on the seven month-long industrial action embarked upon by ASUU.
ASUU has been on strike since February 14.
In August, the union declared a “total and indefinite” extension of its industrial action, noting that the government has failed to satisfactorily meets its demands.
The academics are seeking improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities and academic autonomy among other demands.
One bone of contention for the academics is the non-payment of university revitalisation funds, which amounts to about N1.1 trillion.
