Senate on Friday intervened in the ongoing crisis between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, and the Federal Government, which has led to the ongoing two-week warning strike.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, disclosed this after a meeting with the union at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Dandutse, while acknowledging “the concerns and frustrations” that had prompted the strike, assured that the committee would treat the issues raised by ASUU with utmost seriousness.
The Senator said, “This is because we recognise the critical role that our universities play in shaping the future of our nation and we are committed to ensuring that they receive the support they need to thrive.
“We are not in support of any academic strike; we are not in support of any threat by the executives.
“We are here as those who are elected to oversight you and ensure that you work effectively and efficiently.
“If you look at the situation in Nigeria, it has been a long issue and a prolonged issue of ASUU strike.
“We need to address it holistically and it will do us well at the end of the process. So we want you to understand that we are all here to be accountable.”
After a closed-door session, Dandutse said the committee resolved to communicate its position to the Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission.
“This is for a negotiation as soon as possible so that we can resolve this lingering problem.
“The Senate Committee also agreed to interface with the Minister of FCT to resolve the issue of University of Abuja’s land which was taken from them.
“Also, other needs will be studied and appropriate steps will be taken to ensure amicable resolution,” he said.
ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, had earlier confirmed that the union had commenced a two-week warning strike.
“Unfortunately, the journey that led us to where we are today did not start with this executive,” he said.
The ASUU President explained that the key issue in the draft agreement remained sustainable funding 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 said.
Piwuna further called on the Senate to intervene in the dispute over land belonging to the University of Abuja, which the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT had allegedly revoked.
“We need to deal with this problem. In spite of the several calls and releases by our union, our branch in University of Abuja, the minister is still determined to go ahead and take the land of the university,” he said.
The ASUU president also urged the Senate to prioritise budgetary allocations to the education sector to improve the condition of Nigerian universities.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, in a chat with newsmen, reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to resolving the crisis promptly.
“Education, as I always said, is the bedrock of every society. And we cannot afford to leave our children, who are mostly in the public universities, to stay at home,” he stated.
Barau added that President Bola Tinubu remained committed to addressing all obstacles confronting the education system.
“The president, I’m sure, is working round the clock to make sure that this matter is resolved,” he said.
