The federal government says it will present a certificate of registration to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA).
CONUA is a breakaway faction of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
ASUU has been on strike since February 14. The federal government and the union have failed to reach an agreement over demands bordering on salaries and allowances of lecturers.
There have been many meetings between the government and ASUU, but all the meetings so far ended in a deadlock.
In the last meeting convened by the leadership of the house of representatives, Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, and Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU president, engaged in a heated exchange.
In his Independence Day address, President Muhammadu Buhari had asked the union to reconsider its position and return to the classroom.
But Osodeke said the union has always been open to dialogue that would bring lasting solution.
He also said ASUU is not happy that the protracted strike by its members has not been called off.
The recognition of the faction by the ministry of labour may be an attempt to whittle down the influence of ASUU.
“The Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige cordially invites you to the recognition and presentation of Certificate of Registration to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA),” a message sent by the ministry to journalists said.
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