The House of Representatives has resolved to intervene in the ongoing warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), following a motion of urgent national importance raised by Sesi Whingham (APC, Lagos) during Tuesday’s plenary.
The motion drew attention to the renewed industrial dispute between the federal government and the university lecturers’ union over unresolved issues in their long-standing agreement.
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Mr Whingham, while leading the debate, expressed concern that the latest strike, though described by ASUU as a warning, could escalate into a prolonged shutdown similar to previous nationwide disruptions that paralysed academic activities for months.
He said the current dispute stems from unmet commitments relating to the revitalisation of public universities, the payment of earned academic allowances, the review of lecturers’ salary structure, and the question of university autonomy, all of which are central to the 2009 and subsequent renegotiated agreements between ASUU and the federal government.
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The lawmaker noted that the implementation of the arrangements between both parties have been fraught with delays and partial compliance, creating recurring friction in the tertiary education system.
Speaking further, he stressed that the frequent closure of universities due to labour disputes contributes to rising dropout rates, increased brain drain, and growing public disillusionment with Nigeria’s education system.
“The House is cognisant that repeated strikes in the tertiary sector have led to students dropouts, brain drain and loss of public confidence thereby threatening national stability and the realisation of Nigeria’s long-term development goal,” he stated, adding that the nation’s higher education system remains vital to innovation, human capital growth, and national development.
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He noted that Section 18 of the Constitution recognises education as a key instrument for national progress and imposes a duty on both the federal government and academic unions to preserve the sector’s stability and quality.
The motion was adopted without debate.
Consequently, the House mandated its leadership, led by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, to immediately engage both ASUU and the federal government with a view to finding a mutually acceptable and lasting resolution to the dispute.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over Tuesday’s session, referred the matter to an ad-hoc committee on ASUU-related issues, to be chaired by Speaker Tajudeen himself.
The committee is expected to meet with both parties and report back to the House with recommendations.
The House also urged ASUU and the federal government to exercise restraint, embrace constructive dialogue, and prioritise the interests of students and national development above all other considerations.
Meanwhile, universities across the country on Monday fully complied with the strike directive issued by ASUU, leading to a complete suspension of academic and administrative activities nationwide.
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In response, the federal government directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to enforce the no-work-no-pay policy against striking lecturers, warning that salaries would not be paid for the duration of the industrial action.
ASUU declared the two-week warning strike on Sunday to protest what it described as the government’s failure to implement key aspects of its agreement, including revitalisation funds for universities, release of earned allowances, and review of lecturers’ salary structures.
The union has warned that the strike could escalate into a full-blown industrial action if the issues are not urgently addressed.
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