The House of Representatives has announced plans to intervene in the ongoing dispute between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) following the union’s decision to embark on a two-week warning strike.
The development came after ASUU declared the strike on Monday, citing the government’s failure to fulfill previous agreements and address long-standing issues affecting university education in Nigeria.
At its plenary session on Tuesday, lawmakers expressed concern over the potential impact of the industrial action on students and the academic calendar, noting that another prolonged shutdown could further damage the already fragile university system.
Following a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Hon. Sesi Whingan of the Badagry Federal Constituency, the House resolved to wade into the crisis and facilitate dialogue between both parties. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, announced that an ad hoc committee would be constituted to mediate the matter and seek a lasting resolution.
The committee, which will include members of the Committees on University Education and Labour, Employment and Productivity, has been tasked with meeting representatives of ASUU and the Federal Government to find common ground.
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The House also appealed to both sides to exercise restraint, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue over confrontation. Lawmakers urged the Federal Government to show good faith by addressing some of the union’s key concerns, including unpaid salaries, revitalization funds, and the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 FG–ASUU agreement.
ASUU, in its statement announcing the strike, had accused the government of reneging on multiple promises related to staff welfare and funding of public universities. The union said it was left with no option but to take industrial action after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued earlier in the month.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education has reportedly directed university vice-chancellors to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy, warning lecturers against disrupting ongoing administrative activities in the institutions.
Lawmakers at Tuesday’s plenary stressed that education remains a critical pillar of national development and must not be continuously disrupted by industrial crises. They called on both parties to prioritize the future of students and the stability of the nation’s tertiary institutions.
As the House prepares to commence mediation, there is renewed public hope that the intervention of the legislature will help avert another prolonged academic shutdown and restore normalcy to Nigeria’s universities.
