The Senate intervened on Friday in the ongoing dispute between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government, which has resulted in a two-week warning strike.
Senator Muntari Dandutse, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and the TETFund, made the announcement following a meeting with the union at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Dandutse, although noting “the concerns and frustrations” that had driven the strike, pledged that the committee will take the problems presented by ASUU very seriously.
“This is because we acknowledge the essential role that our universities play in creating our nation’s future, and we are dedicated to providing them with the resources they require to prosper.
“We do not support any academic strike or executive threats.
“We are here as elected officials to oversee your job and ensure that it is productive and efficient.
“Looking at the situation in Nigeria, you can see that the ASUU strike has been a lengthy and ongoing issue.
“We need to approach it comprehensively; it will benefit us at the end of the process. So we want you to know that we’re all here to be accountable,” the senator continued.
Dandutse stated that following a closed-door discussion, the committee decided to submit its views to the Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission.
“This is for an immediate negotiation to fix this lingering issue.
“The Senate Committee also decided to meet with the Minister of FCT to discuss the issue of the University of Abuja’s land that had been taken from them.
“Also, other needs will be studied and appropriate steps will be taken to ensure amicable resolution,” according to him.
Earlier, ASUU President Professor Christopher Piwuna said that the union had begun a two-week warning strike.
“Unfortunately, the journey that led us to where we are today did not start with this executive,” he told me.
Piwuna noted that the key issue in the proposed agreement remained long-term finance for tertiary institutions.
“Others are condition of service, autonomy and academic freedom in Nigerian universities as well as other issues that concern the governance of the institutions,” he told reporters.
He also urged the Senate to intervene in the controversy over land belonging to the University of Abuja, which the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) purportedly cancelled.
“We need to deal with this issue. Despite many calls and releases from our union and our branch at the University of Abuja, the minister is intent to take the university’s land,” he stated.
The ASUU president also urged the Senate to focus budgetary resources for education in order to enhance the status of Nigerian universities.
In a conversation with journalists, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau reiterated the Senate’s resolve to quickly resolving the problem.
“Education, as I have always stated, is the foundation of all societies. And we cannot afford to leave our youngsters, the majority of whom attend public universities, at home,” he remarked.
Barau went on to say that President Bola Tinubu was dedicated to tackling all of the challenges facing the education system.
“The president, I’m sure, is working round the clock to make sure that this matter is resolved,” he replied.