The National Industrial Court in Abuja has directed the Federal Government to register the National Association of Non-Teaching Staff of Nigerian Universities as an official trade union.
Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae issued the order in a suit filed by the association after its application for registration was not approved by the relevant authorities.
The action was brought before the court by Comrade Niyi Akinnibi on behalf of the association. The Registrar of Trade Unions, the Minister of Labour and Employment, and the Attorney General of the Federation were listed as defendants.
In its ruling, the court found that the refusal to register the association lacked justification and ordered the immediate issuance of a registration certificate to the group.
The judgement read, “A declaration is hereby made that the defendants are bound to register the claimant’s National Association of Non-Teaching Staff of Nigerian Universities as a Trade Union under the Trade Union Act.
” A declaration is hereby made that the refusal of the first and second defendants to register the claimant’s National Association of Non-Teaching Staff of Nigerian Universities as a Trade Union under the Trade Unions Act is wrongful.
“A mandatory order is hereby made directing the first and second defendants to register forthwith and or to issue the claimant forthwith with the certificate of registration of the National Association of Non-Teaching Staff of Nigerian Universities as a Trade Union under the Trade Unions Act.
“An order of perpetual injunction is hereby made restraining the defendants, their agents, privies, assigns or any other person or authority deriving authority from them from denying claimant registration as a trade union under the Trade Unions Act.”
The court also restrained the defendants and their representatives from taking any action that could hinder the association’s recognition as a trade union.
NANTS was formed by university workers who reportedly withdrew from the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities. The association is said to have established structures in federal and state universities across the country and sought legal backing to operate as a separate union.