By Deborah Nnamdi
The House of Representatives has pledged to wade into the ongoing dispute between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in a bid to avert a prolonged shutdown of academic activities in public universities.
The decision followed a motion sponsored on Tuesday by Hon. Sesi Whingan, who represents Badagry Federal Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Whingan urged the House leadership to intervene and facilitate a lasting resolution between both parties.
The move by the lawmakers comes amid a two-week warning strike declared by ASUU on Monday after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to address the union’s outstanding demands. This marks the first nationwide strike by the union in nearly three years.
ASUU’s grievances centre on the Federal Government’s failure to implement key aspects of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, including the conclusion of its renegotiation, release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, sustainable university funding, and revitalisation of tertiary institutions.
Other demands include the payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent salary arrears, settlement of promotion arrears spanning over four years, and release of withheld cooperative contribution deductions.
The renegotiation of the 2009 agreement has dragged on since 2017, with at least six committees inaugurated by the government without tangible results. The latest, chaired by former Head of Service, Yayale Ahmed, submitted its report in December 2024. However, according to ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, the Minister of Education claimed he did not receive the report until February 2025.
In response to the union’s action, the Minister of Education reportedly directed university vice-chancellors to enforce the government’s “No Work, No Pay” policy and record lecturers who abstain from work.
The ongoing strike has already disrupted examinations in several universities across the country, heightening fears of another prolonged academic crisis if the impasse is not swiftly resolved.
