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Cabinet officials

Senate Intervenes in ASUU Strike, Engages Government Agencies for Resolution

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Senate of Nigeria has stepped into the ongoing two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) with a meeting on Friday in Abuja. The joint committee, led by Senator Muntari Dandutse, has scheduled a follow-up meeting with the Minister of Education, Mr. Tunji Alausa, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, for next Tuesday. ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, emphasized that sustainable funding and investment in public universities are essential to ending recurring strikes and improving the global ranking of Nigerian institutions. Piwuna highlighted that the two-week warning strike is rooted in longstanding issues dating back to 2011, and the Federal Government has failed to honor several agreements reached with the union.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate has intervened in the ongoing two-week warning strike by ASUU, with its committees holding talks with the union's leadership on Friday in Abuja.
  • The joint committee, chaired by Senator Muntari Dandutse, has scheduled a follow-up meeting with the Minister of Education and the NUC for next Tuesday.
  • ASUU President Professor Christopher Piwuna stated that sustainable funding and investment in public universities are necessary to end recurring strikes and improve the global ranking of Nigerian institutions.
  • The two-week warning strike is rooted in longstanding issues dating back to 2011, and the Federal Government has failed to honor several agreements reached with the union.
  • Only ?50 billion out of the approved ?150 billion for public universities has been released, and the funds are allegedly stuck at the Ministry of Education.
  • The Minister of Education intends to share the ?50 billion among universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, despite each sector having its separate budgetary provisions.

Statistics:

  • Most of the issues between ASUU and the Federal Government date back to 2011.
  • The Federal Government has failed to honor several agreements reached with ASUU over the years.
  • Only ?50 billion out of the approved ?150 billion for public universities has been released so far.
  • The Senate committees are expected to submit a report of their engagements to the leadership of the upper chamber after next week's meeting.

Sources:

  • The Senate of Nigeria
  • The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) leadership
  • Senator Muntari Dandutse
  • Professor Christopher Piwuna
  • The Minister of Education, Mr. Tunji Alausa
  • The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu
  • The Ministry of Education
  • The National Assembly

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