An attempt by university teachers under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to reverse the verdict of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), failed on Friday as the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, refused budge and instead, dircted them to comply with the order.
Students in the public universities in Nigerian, have been at home since February 14 following the decision of the ASUU members to return to classes, following an initial “warning strike” that has since degenerated to an indefinite action, after defying all attempts at resolution at various stages.
Due to the failure of several negotiations with the leadership of the union, insisting on the comprehensive rehabilitation of the structures in the Nigerian system and upgrade of teaching and learning facilities to meet international standards, in addition to better working conditions of service, the FG had headed to the NICN, which gave the order for the teachers to return to their jobs while further negotiantion continued.
But the attempt by ASUU, which appealed the verdict through their lawyer, Femi Falana to reverse it, failed on Friday, as the appelate court, insisted that their members must first return to class in obedience to the order of the lower court on September 21, as a condition for granting the request to appeal the judgement.