University calls off ASUU strike, asks students resume immediately

After several months of suspension of academic activities in Nigerian public universities by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the management of Ekiti University (EKSU) has called off strike.

In a statement, the school’s Registrar, Mr Ife Oluwole, Thursday, ordered the resumption of academic and administrative activities at the institution.

The statement further directed all newly-admitted students for the 2021/2022 academic session to resume on Monday, August 29, 2022, for screening, registration and orientation programme.

The Registrar in the statement titled: “Resumption of Academic and Administrative Activities in the University: University Stakeholders’ Resolution”, read, “Stakeholders in Ekiti State University. Ado Ekiti, which included the Vice-Chancellor and other Principal Officers, Provosts, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, Professors and Officers on grade level 14 and above met on Sunday, 21st August 2022 to review the situation in the University Stakeholders noted the socio-economic effects of the current strike action embarked upon by the staff unions in the University on other stakeholders (parents, students, alumni and staff) and the plea by the parents.

“It further noted that the industrial action is having negative effects not only on the students but also on the University.

“These include undue prolongation of the academic calendar and the stay of the students on campus; low patronage by candidates seeking admission to the University: the inability of Staf to meet up with their financial obligations and the inability to pay staff salaries, among others”.

The Registrar noted that participants at the meeting deliberated extensively on the matter and resolved that, in the interest of the teeming population of students, their parents and the survival of the University, it has become imperative for all members of staff currently on strike at the University to resume normal official activities.

“Consequentially, the stakeholders unanimously decided that the University management should reopen the university without further delay for the continuation of academic activities.

“Accordingly, all newly-admitted students for the 2021/2022 academic session should also resume on Monday, August 29, 2022, for screening, registration and orientation programme,” the statement added.