The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has ordered the Federal Government and the Registrar of Trade Unions to register the National Association of Non-Teaching Staff of Nigerian Universities (NANTS) as a trade union.
Delivering judgment, Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae held that the refusal of the Registrar of Trade Unions and the Minister of Labour and Employment to register NANTS was wrongful and contrary to the provisions of the Trade Unions Act.
The suit was instituted by Comrade Niyi Akinnibi on behalf of the newly formed union, seeking a court order compelling the government to grant it official recognition and registration.
The defendants in the case included the Registrar of Trade Unions, the Minister of Labour and Employment, and the Attorney General of the Federation.
In its ruling, the court declared that the government is legally bound to register NANTS and issue it a certificate of registration without further delay. Justice Obaseki-Osaghae also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, or any authority acting on their behalf from denying the association registration as a trade union.
The judgment marks a significant development in Nigeria’s university labour movement, as NANTS was formed by members who reportedly withdrew from the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU). The association already maintains branches across several federal and state universities nationwide.
The ruling is expected to pave the way for NANTS to operate as a recognized trade union representing the interests of non-teaching staff in Nigerian universities.
