FG moves to cripple ASUU, approves CONUA as academic union

In what is being described as an attempt to break the ranks of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Federal Government is planning to present a certificate of registration to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), a breakaway faction of the lecturers’ union.

According to reports, the certificate presentation to CONUA is billed to take place on Tuesday, October 4.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, s expected to do the presentation.

The information was contained in an invitation to reporters on Tuesday, by the Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Oshundun Olajide.

The invitation reads: “The Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, cordially invites you to the recognition and presentation of Certificate of Registration to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA).

“The Programme is scheduled to hold as follows:

“Date: Tuesday, 4th October 2022

“Venue: Hon. Minister Conference Room, Federal Secretariat, Phase 1, Abuja.

“Time: 2:00pm

“Your media organisation is invited to cover the event and strictly by invitation.”

CONUA, a breakaway faction of ASUU, is led by its National Coordinator, ‘Niyi Sunmonu, a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.