We are against any Strike in UniAbuja – CONUA Leadership
In a bold move, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), an academic trade union in Nigeria, paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja today, Professor Abdul Rasheed Na’Allah. The union’s leadership used the opportunity to make a clear statement of disassociation from the alleged strike action in the university system.
CONUA, which was inaugurated in 2018, expressed its commitment to a stable academic calendar and a vision of a public university system that promotes the overall development of Nigeria. The union’s motto, “Knowledge, Integrity, Freedom,” underscores its core values and principles.
Speaking during the visit, Professor Abdul Buba, the Chairman of the CONUA University of Abuja Chapter, emphasized the union’s belief in addressing issues through constructive engagement rather than confrontational tactics like strikes.
“We are conscious of the negative effects of strikes and believe in deploying relevant strategies that will yield positive results in the modern age of innovation,” he said.
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The CONUA delegation highlighted the legal framework that supports the formation of trade unions in Nigeria, including the 1999 Constitution and the Trade Unions Act of 2004. They also referenced the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention 87, which affirms the right of workers to form and join organizations of their own choosing.
The union’s leadership used the opportunity to request the Vice Chancellor’s support in establishing a permanent presence on the University of Abuja campus, including a temporary office and a plot of land to develop their national headquarters. They expressed confidence that many respected and independent-minded academics share their vision of a stable academic calendar.
“CONUA will continue to engage relevant stakeholders to pursue legitimate welfare for our members without dabbling with issues that are not of direct concern to our members,” Professor Issa Abdulraheem, the CONUA University of Abuja Chapter Secretary, assured the Vice Chancellor.
The visit by CONUA represents a significant development in the Nigerian university system, as the union seeks to establish itself as a credible alternative to the frequent strike actions by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), emphasizing its commitment to a collaborative approach to addressing the challenges facing the sector.
By PRNigeria
