We won’t join ASUU strike — CONUA

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has said its members will not participate in any nationwide strike that may be declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

ASUU had on September 29 issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address its long-standing demands or face a total strike by October 13.

Speaking in an interview, CONUA National President, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, said the union does not consider strike action as an effective means of resolving disputes with the government.

He noted that while ASUU has the legal right to embark on industrial action, CONUA believes that strikes further harm Nigeria’s already struggling education system.

Sunmonu, whose union broke away from ASUU and was registered as an independent academic body under former Labour Minister Chris Ngige, said the frequent disruption of academic activities undermines the quality and stability of university education in the country.

He accused the Federal Government of bias for consistently engaging only ASUU in negotiations affecting all academic staff unions.

“It is unfair for government to discuss with ASUU alone on issues that concern all lecturers and other university workers. Any resolution reached from such negotiations cannot bind CONUA members,” he said.

Sunmonu warned that CONUA would consider legal action if the government concludes any fresh agreement with ASUU without consulting other recognised academic unions.

He said the ongoing renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement should reflect the realities of Nigeria’s plural university system, where more than one academic union exists.

According to him, “The renegotiation is not just about revisiting past commitments but shaping the future of academic labour relations and institutional stability in Nigerian universities.”