ABUJA, Nigeria — The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to immediately return to the negotiating table to resolve the ongoing two-week warning strike that has disrupted academic activities across the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The strike, which began on October 13, was declared by ASUU over unresolved issues in the 2009 agreement with the government. Key concerns include the revitalization of public universities, unpaid salaries, and improvements in university autonomy and lecturers’ welfare.

During plenary, lawmakers expressed serious concern over the impact of the strike on students and the nation’s education system. They called on both parties to engage in constructive dialogue to prevent the disruption from worsening.

“The continuous closure of universities affects not only students but also the overall development of the country,” said a lawmaker at the session. “It is crucial that the Federal Government and ASUU prioritize dialogue to find a lasting solution.”

ASUU’s warning strike is intended to last two weeks, but past industrial actions by the union have often led to prolonged closures, disrupting academic calendars and delaying students’ progress.

In response, the federal government has instructed vice-chancellors of federal universities to enforce a “no work, no pay” policy, withholding salaries of lecturers participating in the strike. ASUU has rejected the policy, saying it will not be intimidated and remains committed to its demands.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also intervened, urging the government to use the strike period to present a clear plan for implementing all pending agreements with ASUU. NLC President Joe Ajaero warned that failure to address these issues could trigger wider labor unrest in the country.

Students across Nigerian universities have expressed frustration and anxiety over the uncertainty surrounding the resumption of academic activities. Many worry that the strike could extend beyond the initial two-week period, further affecting their studies and graduation timelines.

The House of Representatives has pledged to actively facilitate dialogue between the Federal Government and ASUU. Lawmakers hope that their intervention will lead to a swift resolution, allowing universities to resume normal operations and safeguarding the education of Nigerian students.

The outcome of the discussions remains uncertain, but the urgency is clear. Resolving the strike is critical to protecting the future of Nigeria’s higher education system and the academic progress of millions of students nationwide.