The University of Abuja branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has begun an indefinite strike to call attention to circumstances affecting the union.
The union declared its decision to strike at the end of its congress on Thursday, which was held at the institution’s permanent site.
UniAbuja ASUU members have clashed with the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’allah, and the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, over the process of appointing a new Vice-Chancellor.
On March 15, 2024, an advertisement appeared in a national newspaper seeking a replacement for Na’Allah.
However, in a conference, ASUU members rejected the ad, calling it “illegal” and claiming that it was not from the governing council.
Sylvanus Ugoh, Chairman of UniAbuja ASUU, stated that the Universities Miscellaneous Provision Act 1993, as modified in 2003 and 2012 (Section 3, subsections 1 and 2), permits only the governing council to advertise the VC’s seat when it is declared vacant.
He maintained that no other organ or individual has the legal authority to commence the process of appointing a successor VC.
“You will recall that the university administration placed an advertisement for the vacancy of the post of Vice-Chancellor on Friday, March 15, 2024,” Ugoh said.
