NASS Wades In: Urgent Steps Taken Towards ASUU Strike Resolution

The ongoing crisis in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector has drawn the immediate intervention of the National Assembly. Following the commencement of a two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the House of Representatives has taken decisive action, calling for urgent reconciliation between the union and the Federal Government (FG) to prevent a prolonged academic shutdown.
ASUU launched its warning strike to protest the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address several long-standing, critical issues. These issues, which have paralyzed university education across the country multiple times, primarily center on:

• The full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
• The release of revitalisation funding for universities.
• Payment of earned academic allowances.
• Matters concerning salary structure and university autonomy.

The urgent intervention came via a motion of public importance moved during plenary by the member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Oluwaseun Whinghan. Lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion, expressing deep concern that the “warning” action could rapidly degenerate into an extended, costly industrial dispute.

To facilitate an immediate and lasting ASUU Strike Resolution, the House resolved to take three key actions:

1. Direct Dialogue: It urged both the FG and ASUU to return immediately to the negotiating table.
2. Committee Mediation: The Committees on University Education and Labour, Employment, and Productivity were mandated to step in and facilitate a mutually acceptable resolution.
3. Ad-hoc Committee: An Ad-hoc Committee chaired by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas will be constituted to mediate the crisis and ensure that striking lecturers return to classrooms without further delay.
5. During the debate, Whinghan emphasized the dire consequences of repeated strikes, which have historically led to mass student dropouts, a decline in research output, loss of public confidence in the university system, and a worsening brain drain.

The Nigerian university system is viewed as central to national development and human-capital growth, making any disruption a significant blow to the country’s competitiveness and long-term goals. The House therefore stressed that all parties must exercise restraint, embrace transparency, and prioritize the interests of the students and the nation above all else.

In a forward-looking move, the House also called on the Federal Government to establish a permanent joint consultative platform with recognized university unions. This mechanism is intended to ensure continuous engagement and preempt industrial actions before they begin, aiming for long-term stability in the academic calendar.

The Committee on Legislative Compliance has been tasked with monitoring the mediation progress and reporting back to the House within one week, signaling the urgency lawmakers attach to securing a rapid and sustainable ASUU Strike Resolution.