Nigeria’s striking university lecturers say they will appeal against the order of an arbitration court directing them to suspend their seven-month strike and return to work.
The National Industrial Court ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resume work following a stalemate with the federal government of Nigeria.
ASUU said its lawyers are already filing an appeal and urged its members to “remain calm”.
The government approached the court to stop the lecturers from continuing their strike, after both parties refused to agree on common terms.
It insisted the industrial action will cause irreversible damage to Nigerian students and to the country if not suspended.
Public universities have remained shut for the past seven months due to pay disagreements with the government.
The lecturers accused the government of reneging on agreements reached with the union 10 years ago.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had earlier welcomed the court order, describing it as a win-win situation for all the stakeholders in the matter.
The students’ union however urged the government to not consider the judgement as a triumph over the lecturers.