CONUA POSITION ON THE 2-DAY NLC WARNING STRIKE.

Dear Comrades,

The attention of our Chapter has been drawn to the conflicting position of the management of the University of Benin on the ongoing 2-day warning strike declared by the NLC.

In as much as we (CONUA) understand that the policies of the Government in recent times; particularly the removal of PMS subsidy bitting hard on the poorly remunerated Nigerian university teachers, we must also take into cognizance that universities in Nigeria are sessions behind; we all (management, students & academic staff unions) have the understanding to bridge this shortfall for the benefit of the students and the system; hence Madam Vice-Chancellor offered the palliative to encourage academics and non-academics alike to make up for the lost times during the last 8-month old industrial action (Strike).

We must reiterate that not all academic trade unions on campuses are affiliates of the NLC; we understand that ASUU is an affiliate of NLC; therefore it is improper for the management of the University of Benin to call off exams scheduled for 5th & 6th September, 2023 on the assumption that all academic unions of universities are affiliates of NLC.

Furthermore, we wish to categorically state to management that UNIBEN CONUA members are not on a 2-day warning strike or in solidarity with NLC; and that management should consider the position of CONUA at all times in disputed situations like this in the future.

Best wishes always,

Comrade Ishaq Osagie-Eweka, 

CONUA Chapter Chairperson.