The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities says there is no more basis for the five-month strike by academic staff of Nigeria’s public universities and has consequently ordered the immediate re-opening of all shut universities across the country.

The order is contained in a communiqué signed by the committee’s Chairman, Prof. Kimse Okoko, released yesterday in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, at the end of the committee’s meeting to discuss the strike launched July 1 by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other issues affecting the Nigerian university system.

The communiqué made it clear that the call for the re-opening of the universities was unanimously agreed by all Pro-Chancellors in the interest of the country. It directed all Vice-Chancellors to comply with the decision.

The Pro-Chancellors noted “with satisfaction the outcome of the referendum conducted in all branches of ASUU nationwide which voted 60-40 in favour of the suspension of the ongoing strike by ASUU.”

They equally commended “all effort by Federal Government to address the major issues involved in the strike action including the bold and the supportive intervention by Mr President.”

The communique explained that the committee’s decision was based on the negative impact the strike had had on the university system, students and the parents.

It, however, appealed for the understanding from the leadership and members of ASUU to ensure speedy restoration of academic activities on campuses.

News Express reports that the strike had started to weaken of late, with the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) yesterday joining a growing list of universities that had announced their resumption in defiance of ASUU’s directives.

At the Niger State-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), some academic staff have already resumed teaching while the Adamawa State University and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko in Ondo State have also reportedly pulled out of the strike, with Enugu State University (ESUT) at the verge of following suit.

At the same time, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Lagos State University (LASU) are reportedly set to conduct degree and matriculation examinations outside their campuses, even as UNILAG, LASU and the University of Jos (UNIJOS) have all scheduled to conduct the post-UTME examinations. The Abia State University (ABSU) had earlier conducted its post-UTME examinations.

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