*Sen (Dr.) Chris Ngige, Minister for Labour and Employment, states the Trade Dispute Act mandates workers not to embark on strike, once an issue is referred to the National Industrial Court in Nigeria

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Arguing the ongoing industrial action by the academic union detrimental to public University students, Sen (Dr.) Chris Ngige, Honourable Minister for Labour and Employment, has advised the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to obey the National Industrial Court (NIC) ruling and suspend the strike.

Dr. Ngige said聽 that negotiations between the two parties would continue, report said.

The Minister told reporters Friday, September 23, 2022, in New York, United States (US), when responding to the Industrial Court ruling, which restrains ASUU from continuing with the industrial action.

The Minister declared that the strike is detrimental to public University students, who cannot afford to attend private tertiary institutions.

Ngige noted that the Trade Dispute Act mandates workers not to embark on strike, once an issue has been referred to the industrial court.

The Minister further advised that after obedience, ASUU can then apply for an appeal if they so desire or apply for a stay of execution of the court ruling.

Meanwhile, the Academic Union filed an appeal over the ruling.

It was learnt Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Counsel to the ASUU, disclosed that the union based their appeal on the 14 grounds.

The motion is seeking two specific reliefs, which are:

A) The leave to file the appeal pursuant to Section 243 of the Constitution that requires the party to seek a leave of court to appeal the judgement or ruling of the National Industrial Court (NIC)

B) Seeking for a stay of execution of the orders of the court, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.