Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The House of Representatives has decided to step into the impasse between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) with the aim of finding a lasting solution into it.
Based on that, the House mandated its Committees on University Education and Labour, Employment and Productivity to facilitate a mutually acceptable and enduring resolution to the intractable dispute.
The parliament, while appealing to the federal government and ASUU to exercise restraint, embrace dialogue and prioritise the interests of students and the country, implored the government to set up a permanent joint consultative forum with university unions.
The Parliament, which also mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor the mediation process and report back to it within one week for further legislative action, said that a joint consultative platform between the government and university unions would ensure continuous engagement between both groups to avert future strikes.
This sequel to the adoption of a motion by Sesi Whingan, calling for urgent legislative intervention in the labour dispute to avert a breakdown in the university system, following the warning strike.
Recall that the ASUU had, on Monday, commenced a two weeks warning strike to protest the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement between it and the Federal Government.
However, the government, in response to a strike by the ASUU, declared the ‘no work, no pay’ rule.
Whingan, in the motion, expressed concern over the two-week warning strike, saying that such action had resulted in the shutdown of public universities in the country for a prolonged period of time.
“The House notes with concern the declaration of a two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over unresolved issues relating to the implementation of prior agreements with the Federal Government, particularly on revitalisation funding, earned academic allowances, salary structure and university autonomy.
“Although ASUU has described the strike as a warning, such industrial actions have historically escalated into prolonged shutdowns that disrupt academic calendars, derail research and deepen the frustration of students, parents and lecturers alike.
“The Nigerian university system remains central to national development, innovation and human-capital growth, and that any disruption in its operations, weakens the country’s economic competitiveness, scientific advancement and youth productivity”, he said.
The lawmaker maintained that, “education is constitutionally recognised under Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as a fundamental driver of social and technological progress,” stating that “both the Federal Government and university unions share a collective duty to safeguard its continuity and quality.”
Furthermore, Whingan contended that repeated strikes in the country’s tertiary education sector have resulted in students’ dropouts, brain drain and loss of public confidence, which constitute a threat to national stability and realisation of the country’s long-term development goals.
“The lingering impasse between ASUU and the Federal Government requires renewed dialogue anchored on mutual respect, transparency and good faith, with the legislature serving as a neutral facilitator in the interest of students and the nation,” he added.