Meanwhile, The Academic Staff Union of Universities says it is approaching the National Industrial Court, NIC, over the Federal Government’s registration of the two factional unions.

ASUU’s lawyer, Femi Falana, made this known on Thursday.

The President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, also confirmed the development.

The Federal Government on Tuesday registered two factional academic unions – the Congress of Nigerian Universities Academics, CONUA, and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics NAMDA.

The registration of the two factional unions took place as talks between ASUU and the government broke down amid the over seven-month strike by lecturers of public universities.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, on Tuesday, explained that the two bodies will exist alongside ASUU, adding that the two associations will enjoy the rights and privileges accorded to other academic unions in the tertiary education system.

However, Falani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the registration of CONUA and NAMDA is illegal. He said according to the Trade Unions Act, only one union is allowed to operate in every sector.