ASUU: UNILAG VC optimistic strike will end soon

The Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, says he is optimistic that  the protracted nationwide indefinite strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would soon be over.

Ogundipe gave the hint in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the inauguration of a multi-million naira laboratory, refurbished and donated to the Faculty of Engineering by Mr Oyetayo Ige, an alumnus of the university.

The event took place at the University campus in Akoka, Lagos, on Tuesday evening.

NAN reports that members of the union had on  Feb.16, embarked on an indefinite strike  over government’s inability to satisfactorily address all issues raised in the 2020 Memorandum of Action (MoA) agreed between the parties.

The strike, which was embarked upon following  several verbal warnings by the union, began with its members downing tools for a month from Feb. 14, which later rolled over to another two months, after which it became the current indefinite industrial action.

“I want to say that things may soon pick up in the system. We are already aware of the various interventions by some concerned stakeholders in the country, in ensuring that things are normalised in the system so that our children can come back to school.

“So, with the latest development and the kind of green light coming from government’s angle, there are strong indications that the strike may soon be over; very soon, and I want to assure you that we are very hopeful,” Ogundipe said.

Speaking on the donation of the laboratory by a former student of the university, the vice chancellor stated that he was elated, describing the development as heartwarming and the way to go.

“Today, we are unveiling the New Frederick Adegboyega Ige Laboratory Complex, a multi million naira facility donated by an alumnus of this university, who graduated  from the Faculty of Engineering.

“The laboratory is for the Department of Electrical and Electronics.

“You know, what he has just done is in line with our ‘3P3’ initiative, which is Pick a Project, Pick a Person and Pick a Programme.