Reps to wade in to FG-ASUU crisis

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to intervene in the ongoing labour dispute between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to facilitate a mutually acceptable and lasting resolution.
The House resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, urging both parties to exercise restraint, embrace dialogue, and prioritise the interests of students and national development above all other considerations.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen is to lead an ad-hoc committee to interface between the Federal Government and ASUU. The House also called for the establishment of a permanent joint consultative platform between the government and recognized university unions to ensure continuos engagement and prevent future strikes.
In his motion, Whingan expressed concern over ASUU’s declaration of a two-week warning strike over unresolved issues, including revitalization funding, earned academic allowances, salary structure, and university autonomy.
He warned that though the strike was described as a warning, such industrial actions have historically escalated into prolonged shutdowns that disrupt academic calendars, derail research, and heighten frustration among students, parents, and lecturers.
Citing Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he said education remains a fundamental driver of social and technological progress, stressing that both the federal government and university unions share a responsibility to safeguard its continuity and quality.
He noted that repeated strikes have led to student dropouts, brain drain, and loss of public confidence in the tertiary education system, thereby threatening national stability and long-term development goals.
Whingan urged both sides to return to the dialogue table anchored on mutual respect, transparency, and good faith, with the National Assembly serving as a neutral facilitator in the interest of students and the nation.