Strike: N’Assembly wades into ASUU, FG disput

The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to urgently return to the negotiating table to resolve the ongoing dispute that led to the declaration of a two-week warning strike by the union.

The House’s resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Badagry Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Oluwaseun Whinghan, during plenary.

ASUU had on Monday began a two-week warning strike over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address long-standing issues, including the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, revitalisation funding, earned academic allowances, salary structure, and university autonomy.

Before the commencement of the strike, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, had assured that the President Bola Tinubu administration was in the final stage of talks with ASUU to resolve all outstanding matters.

Moving the motion, Whinghan expressed deep concern over the renewed strike, warning that such industrial actions have historically escalated into prolonged shutdowns that disrupt academic calendars, derail research, and deepen the frustration of students, parents, and lecturers alike.

“The House notes that although ASUU has described the strike as a warning, previous experiences show that these actions often degenerate into extended work stoppages,” he said.

“We are aware that the Nigerian university system remains central to national development, innovation, and human-capital growth, and that any disruption weakens the country’s competitiveness, scientific advancement, and youth productivity.”

He added that education is constitutionally recognised under Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as a key driver of social and technological progress, stressing that both the Federal Government and university unions share a collective duty to protect its continuity and quality

Whinghan lamented that repeated strikes in the tertiary education sector have resulted in student dropouts, brain drain, and the loss of public confidence in the nation’s university system, thereby undermining national stability and Nigeria’s long-term development goals.

He called for “renewed dialogue anchored on mutual respect, transparency, and good faith, with the legislature serving as a neutral facilitator in the interest of students and the nation.”

Following the unanimous adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committees on University Education and Labour, Employment, and Productivity to immediately intervene between the Federal Government and ASUU to facilitate a mutually acceptable and lasting resolution.

The House also resolved to constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to be chaired by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, to mediate in the crisis and ensure that striking lecturers return to the classrooms without further delay.

It urged both parties to exercise restraint, embrace dialogue, and prioritise the interests of students and national development above all other considerations.

Additionally, the House called on the Federal Government to establish a permanent joint consultative platform with recognised university unions for continuous engagement to prevent future industrial actions.

The Committee on Legislative Compliance was further directed to monitor and report the progress of the mediation efforts to the House within one week

culled from punch