ASUU Strike Latest News: Some Universities Re-open, While Others Won’t Until January

ASUU President Dr Nasir Fagge, left, and Nigerian Minister of Education Nyesom Wike. (ASUU; Facebook

The ASUU strike in 2013 in Nigeria is officially called off, but the latest update is that some universities won’t open until January, though others have already resumed classes.

After the strike ended earlier this week, union officials said that lecturers were to return to teaching at once.

But local media reports indicate that at least seven universities haven’t re-started classes or won’t re-open until after the holidays, while five others have already resumed classes.

In a surprising twist, one of the universities has scheduled some tests during the holidays to seek to make up for lost time. Teachers in the sociology department at the University of Benin have scheduled tests for Saturday, December 28, indicating that students aren’t supposed to go far for the holidays, reported the Leadership.

Academic activities have also resumed at the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto State; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; Benue State University; and Nnamdi Azike University.

Ike Odimegwu, a professor at Nnamdi Azike University and chairman of the university’s union branch, told the Daily Post that academic activities have already re-started following the calling off of the strike. 

She did say that “serious academic activities” wouldn’t re-start until the the university’s management rolls out the university calendar.

Meanwhile, classes at at least seven universities haven’t started or won’t start until January, after the holidays.

These are University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Abuja; Federal University of Uyo; University of Port Harcourt; Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State; Obafemi Awolowo University; and University of Jos.

Barrister Jilli Dandam, registar at the University of Jos, said that classes will re-start in the first week of January, and that hostels for students would open for students starting January 4.

Students at the school said their ready for classes to start immediately.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, sources said that university management have to draw up a new academic calendar, and aren’t sure when classes will re-start.

But many students have already returned to the campus, including the hostels.

Dr. Godson Okafor, a professor at the university, said that the new academic calendar would have to be approved by the university’s senate before classes begin.