The National Industrial Court in Abuja has purchased the Federal government to officially register the National Association of Non-Teaching Personnel of Nigerian Universities (NANTS) as a trade union, stating the continued rejection of appropriate authorities to give the association legal acknowledgment unlawful.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, directed the Registrar of Trade Unions and the Minister of Labour and Work to immediately finish the registration procedure and release the association its certificate of registration.
The decision was consisted of in the enrolment order of the court offered on Tuesday.
NANTS had actually approached the court through a suit significant NICN/ABJ/345/ 2023, looking for legal recognition under the provisions of the Trade Unions Act.
The match was filed by the association through its agent, Comrade Niyi Akinnibi.
Signed up with as defendants in the matter were the Registrar of Trade Unions, the Minister of Labour and Employment, and the Attorney general of the United States of the Federation.
In its judgment, the court held that the authorities responsible for trade union registration were lawfully obligated to sign up the association and could not legally continue to deny its application.
Justice Obaseki-Osaghae stated that the refusal to sign up NANTS was irregular with the provisions of the Trade Unions Act and therefore wrongful.
“A statement is hereby made that the accuseds are bound to sign up the complaintant’s National Association of Non-Teaching Personnel of Nigerian Universities as a Trade Union under the Trade Union Act,” the court ruled.
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The judge further mentioned that the rejection of the first and 2nd defendants to sign up the association was unlawful and released a necessary order compelling them to grant registration without hold-up.
“A mandatory order is hereby made directing the first and 2nd accuseds to sign up forthwith and/or problem the claimant forthwith with the certificate of registration of the National Association of Non-Teaching Personnel of Nigerian Universities as a Trade Union under the Trade Unions Act,” the judgment read.
The court likewise granted a perpetual injunction limiting the accuseds, their representatives, privies, assigns, or any authority acting on their behalf from blocking, denying, or hindering the association’s registration as a trade union in the future.
New Chapter for University Workers
The judgment is anticipated to have substantial implications for labour relations within Nigeria’s university system, particularly among non-teaching employees looking for an independent platform to advance their well-being and expert interests.
Findings show that NANTS emerged following a split from the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), with members pushing for a separate organisation committed specifically to representing non-teaching personnel in Nigerian universities.
Supporters of the new association have argued that the unique challenges dealing with university-based non-teaching employees require a specialised union structure efficient in addressing sector-specific concerns.
Sources acquainted with the development stated the association has currently developed functional structures and branches throughout numerous federal and state-owned universities, an aspect thought to have strengthened its case before the court.
Implications of the Decision
With the court’s ruling, NANTS is now placed to run as an independent trade union with complete legal backing once the registration procedure is completed.
Labour experts state the development might improve the representation landscape within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector by presenting another identified voice in settlements involving university employees, government agencies, and institutional managements.
The judgment likewise reinforces the concept that administrative authorities must act within the boundaries of the law when considering applications for trade union registration.
For members of NANTS, the judgment marks a major milestone in a campaign that has spanned several years and now opens the door for the association to get involved officially in labour engagements impacting non-teaching personnel across Nigerian universities.
The Federal Government is yet to openly react to the court’s directive. Nevertheless, the judgment places a legal obligation on the relevant authorities to continue with the registration process and release the association its certificate of acknowledgment in line with the court order.