EKSU Orders Students To Resume For Academic Activities Despite ASUU Strike

The management of Ekiti State University (EKSU) has ordered students to resume for the 2021/2022 academic session despite the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Ekiti State University

KanyiDaily recalls that ASUU had embarked on a warning strike since February 14, over the failure of the federal government to meet its demands.

Amid the strike, the government and the union have held a series of meetings, but no agreement has been reached by both sides on ending the strike.

In a statement on Thursday, the EKSU management directed newly-admitted students for the 2021/2022 academic session to resume on Monday, Augut 25, for screening, registration and orientation programme.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Registrar of the university, Mr Ife Oluwole, titled: “Resumption of Academic and Administrative Activities in the University: University Stakeholders’ Resolution.”

Oluwole stated that the stakeholders expressed worries that the industrial action was having negative effects not only on the students, but also on the university in areas including “undue prolongation of the academic calendar and the stay of the students on campus”

The statement partly read, “Stakeholders in Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, which included the Vice-Chancellor and other Principal Officers, Provosts, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, Professors and Officers on grade level 14 and above met on Sunday, 21st August 2022 to review the situation in the University.

“Stakeholders noted the socio-economic effects of the current strike action embarked upon by the staff unions in the University on other stakeholders (parents, students, alumni and staff) and the plea by the parents.

“It further noted that the industrial action is having negative effects not only on the students but also on the University.

“These include undue prolongation of the academic calendar and the stay of the students on campus; low patronage by candidates seeking admission to the University: the inability of Staff to meet up with their financial obligations and the inability to pay staff salaries, among others.”

The Registrar said in the interest of the students, it has become imperative for all members of staff on strike at the University to resume normal official activities.

“Consequentially, the stakeholders unanimously decided that the University management should reopen the university without further delay for the continuation of academic activities.

“Accordingly, all newly-admitted students for the 2021/2022 academic session should also resume on Monday, August 29, 2022, for screening, registration and orientation programme,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, a member of the House of Reps, Dachung Musa Bagos has advised President Buhari to channel the recently returned $23m Abacha loot into resolving the ongoing ASUU strike.