The Minister of Labor and Employment, Chris Ngige, noted on Wednesday that the government will direct vice-chancellors to reopen universities.
The minister disclosed this in a statement made available to our correspondent on Wednesday evening.
“The court ruling does not prevent us from continuing with further negotiations and consultations. The pro-chancellors have mr. President met and made some demands, such as supplementing government offers and seeing if there could be a bailout.
Mr. President said in considering it he will consult stakeholders. So, he’s going to consult everyone.”
Ngige also noted that he welcomed the intervention of the House of Representatives in the ASUU imbroglio, saying he was happy that the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila said they were going to meet the President.
He said the intervention was timely considering that the president should have also consulted certain stakeholders, adding that whatever money is put in will go into the 2023 allocation where the National Assembly comes in.
“If they’ve shown interest now, that’s fine and dandy. When they bring that proposal, the Executive will have no problem. ASUU should also know that this is a step in the right direction. And all these things were promised to them by the Minister of Education at their last meeting with him. For me, they need to do what is necessary and go back to the classroom.”
“The government will order the vice-chancellors to reopen the universities in accordance with the order of the court