By Faith Igbudu
The Federal Government may soon bow to pressure to end the on-going strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as more critical stakeholders in the Nigerian economy mount pressure.
The Voice gathered that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had directed its state councils to mobilise for a protest in support of ASUU next Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) also threatened to shut down the airports in solidarity with the striking lecturers.
The Coalition of Northern Groups Students Wing (CNG-SW) directed the 19 northern state chapters to mobilise students and parents to join the NLC protest.
The National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) said it would join the protest.
Similar calls had come from health workers, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) alongside other notable individuals.
According to media reports, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) Prof. Abubakar Rasheed had warned against weakening the university system, which he said was critical to economic development.
However, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo, expressed confidence that the strike is likely to end soon as the federal government is inclined to meet the striking union again.
The lecturers have been on strike since February 14, 2020, pressing for among others a better welfare package.