COPSUN To FG: Prevent Another Strike By Varsity Unions

*Lauds FG decision on further proliferation of universities in Nigeria

By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan

The Committee of Pro Chancellors of State Owned Universities (COPSUN) has called on the federal government and other stakeholders to prevent avoidable crisis from the lingering dispute between the government and the university based unions

COPSUN made the call in a communique issued at the end of the 69th meeting of COPSUN held at the Conference Room, CVCNU Secretariat, Abuja made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday, by its acting Chairman, Pro Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Professor Ayodeji Omole.

In the communique, COPSUN lauded the Federal government on its recent decision to put a moratorium on further proliferation of universities in Nigeria.

According to the Committee of Pro Chancellors of State Owned Universities, to prevent the avoidable crises,the Federal government and other stakeholders should demonstrate good faith without further delay

“The nation cannot afford another round of industrial action in the university system as the universities are yet to fully recover from the disruptions of the last crisis”it said .

The communique added, ” COPSUN representatives should be involved in dispute resolutions and negotiations when trade disputes involving national bodies of labour unions in the universities arise”.

” To prevent unnecessary conflict, the body advised that Pro-Chancellors should operate in strict compliance with the university laws to avoid unnecessary friction with the Vice Chancellors”.

COPSUN then charged the governments to review annually and increase budgetary allocations and consequent release of budgetary allocations to education in order to strengthen the existing universities.