Registrars of Universities in Nigeria have asked the four university-based staff unions currently on strike to alter their approach in negotiations with the federal government, reports CAMPUS GIST.
CAMPUS GIST reports that, the four unions are the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The Registrars, under the auspices of the Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU), who are also members of SSANU, said the incessant industrial action is not helping matter.
ARNU lamented the devastating effects the strike would have on students, quality of education and the registrars themselves which they admit might be hard to overcome in the long run.
The Registrars, therefore, asked the university unions to change their approach when pressing home their demands instead of shutting down institutions, insisting that strike posed grave consequences for the Nigerian economy.
Speaking at the 71st Business meeting in Abuja, on Thursday, Chairman of ARNU, Abubakar Mamuda said though the struggles of the unions have brought significant benefits to the Nigeria University System, it has become imperative for the unions to change tactics in pressing home their demands due to the negative effect of the strike on the education sector.
According to him, “It is true that the struggles of the unions have brought about significant benefits to the Nigeria University System (NUS), however, in view of its negative effects to the NUS there is the need for change in the approach of the unions in pressing home their demands.”
Asked to suggest alternative approach for aggrieved unions and striking workers to press home their demands, the ARNU boss said, ”Some have suggested that we should go the way of Germany, that a co-determination approach be adopted where work councils would be established for NUS.
”The work Councils will comprise representatives of employees and Government then issues of conditions of services and renumeration will be tackled without obstruction to academic activities.”
ARNU maintained that it is imperative SSANU, ASUU, NASU and NAAT bring every stakeholder on board and ensure to find a lasting solution to the ongoing protracted issues within the university systems.
The ARNU chairman said, “In recent years, we have witnessed a significant increase in the closures of public universities due to strikes either by the academic staff union or the other unions in the university system.
”These strikes have grave consequences on the students, quality of education and the economy of the country as well as the Registrar, who sits at the cross-roads of university administration and who is always on his desk to respond to the demands of university management and government.”
