A National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end its ongoing nationwide strike, which began on February 14.
Justice Polycarp Hamman, in a ruling on Wednesday, said he was invoking Section 18 of Trade Dispute Act, which allows the court to order an end to strike when national interest is at stake and when parties have submitted their dispute before the court for adjudication.
Justice Hamman held that it was necessary to end the strike because the students have a right to education, noting that the Federal Government, which owns the federal universities stands to lose more if the strike was not suspended.
The ruling was on an interlocutory application filed by the Fed Govt in its suit against the strike by ASUU.
Justice Hamman noted that “students have been out of school for seven months in Nigeria, where age is a factor in employment.”
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The judge also noted that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) bars graduates from 30 years from participating in youth service.
Justice Hamman also noted that the prolonged strike has inflicted irreparable damage on students, who have been at home since February 14, 2022.
The judge held that the strike was detrimental to students in public universities, who lack the financial capacity to afford private institutions.
Justice Hamman said: “I therefore hold that the balance of convenience tilts in favour of granting the application.”
He proceeded to issue an order, restraining ASUU, “whether by themselves, members, agents, privies or howsoever called, from taking further steps and doing any act in continuance of the strike action, pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed.”
Justice Hamman, who said he acted as the court’s vacation judge, explained that the case filed would be returned to the court’s President for reassignment after the vacation.