The striking university professors in Nigeria claim they would challenge the arbitration court’s decision ordering them to call off their seven-month strike and report to work.
On Wednesday, the National Industrial Court issued the directive while it was deliberating a government lawsuit contesting the strike.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, on the other hand, advised its members to “stay cool” and noted that its attorneys had already filed an appeal.
After both sides were unable to come to an agreement, the administration turned to the court to prevent the lecturers from extending their strike. It warned that if the walkout wasn’t called off, Nigerian students and the nation as a whole would suffer irreparable harm.
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For the past seven months, public university lecturers have suspended classes across the country due to pay disagreements with the government.
The lecturers accused the government of failing to fulfil some of the agreements reached with the union 10 years ago.
The umbrella body of university students in Nigeria, the National Association of Nigerian Students (Nans), had earlier welcomed the court order, describing it as a win-win situation for all the stakeholders in the matter.
The students’ union however urged the government not to see the ruling as a victory over the lecturers.
