News
Tertiary Institutions In Niger Embark On Indefinite Strike
By MAIRIGA Juliana, Minna
Niger state tertiary institutions with exception to the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Lapai have embarked on an indefinite strike following the failure of the state government to meet its demands after a three days warning strike.
The institutions affected include the Niger state Polytechnic, Zugeru, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar College of Legal and General Studies, the Niger state College of Education, Minna and Niger state College of Agriculture, Mokwa.
The Chairman of the Committee of Unions in Niger state owned Tertiary Institutions (CUNOTI), Comrade Baba Haruna who spoke to newsmen in Minna said that the Unions had earlier issued a 21days ultimatum and embarked on a three days warning strike stating that the lack of progress in the negotiation with representatives of government led to the strike action.
He declared that, “all tertiary institutions owned by the state are closed indefinitely with no exception whatsoever. For clarity, the strike action shall affect all the core programmes been run by the institutions, Consultancy services, IJMB programme, all affiliated programmes and staff schools owned by the Institutions.”
According to the Chairman, the government were not sincere during the negotiation process and only want to halt the strike action in order to save their reputation saying, “sadly, because Niger state government cared less about the strike ultimatum, it waited until the 21st day before calling for a talk.
“Yes a talk, instead of negotiating by way of addressing the listed demands holistically, or at least make an offer on some of the demands, the representatives of the government which include the Head of Service, simply submitted that the demands were receiving attention and suggested that the proposed strike be stopped without issuing any form of documented agreement. This was how the inaction, lack of sincerity and nonchalant attitude of the government representatives led the Unions in Niger state owned Tertiary Institutions into the indefinite strike action”, he added.
The demands of the Unions, according to the Chairman, include, addressing infrastructural decay and inadequate security in the various tertiary institutions, full implementation of the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDDISS), employment of additional staff in areas with deficit, domestication and gazetting of 65years retirement age for staff of tertiary institutions, immediate implementation of all pending promotions, immediate payment of accrued promotion arrears and assent to the earlier bill! Of 7.5 per cent Contributory Pension Scheme.
The CUNOTI Secretary General, Salihu Mohammed Rijau said the struggle revolved around better welfare package and working environment adding that despite the series of letters forwarded to the government regarding the matter, nothing was done about it.
Rijau who appealed to the students and their guardians for their support and understanding stated that CUNOTI is not unaware of the consequences of industrial action on the students but the strike had to be done to press in their demands.
He however said that their doors remain open for dialogue when the government representatives are ready to negotiate,
“We are not interested in strike but the government’s body language showed that they cared less about our plight. We are open for dialogue and we would consider our stands if the government comes up with documented agreement”, he further stated.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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