The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal in Abuja against the National Industrial Court’s September 21 decision, which ordered university lecturers to suspend their strike action.
Mister Femi Falana (SAN), lead counsel for ASUU, and Mister James Igwe (SAN), lead counsel for the Federal Government, are both in court.
ASUU has been on strike since February 14.
In August, the union declared a “total and indefinite” extension of its industrial action, noting that the government has failed to meet its demands satisfactorily.
The academics seek improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities and academic autonomy among other demands.
One bone of contention for the academics is the non-payment of university revitalisation funds, which amounts to about N1.1 trillion.
But the Federal Government has said it doesn’t have the money to pay such an amount, citing low oil prices during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.