The House of Representatives has resolved 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.
Gatekeepers News reports that the resolution followed a motion moved by Sesi Whingan, member representing Badagry Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), during plenary on Tuesday.
The House leadership said its intervention aims to provide a lasting solution to the lingering industrial dispute that has disrupted academic activities nationwide.
ASUU had on Monday commenced a two-week warning strike, after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government to meet its long-standing demands. This marks the union’s first nationwide strike in nearly three years.
The lecturers’ grievances centre on the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, release of withheld 3.5 months’ salaries, sustainable university funding, and revitalisation of public universities.
Other demands include payment of 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld cooperative deductions.
The renegotiation of the 2009 pact has stalled since 2017, despite several committees set up by government — the latest being the Yayale Ahmed-led committee, inaugurated in October 2024. The committee’s report, submitted in December 2024, was allegedly delayed in reaching the education minister until February 2025, according to ASUU President, Chris Piwuna.
In response, the Minister of Education directed university vice-chancellors to enforce the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy, warning that lecturers who shun duties during the strike would not receive salaries.
The ongoing strike has already disrupted examinations in several universities across the country.
