The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to make strategic moves to avert the impending Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.
Gatekeepers News reports that the ASUU has given the Government a 3-week ultimatum to meet its demand.
Julius Ihonvbere, a member representing Owan Federal Constituency of Edo State in the lower legislative chamber, moved the motion on matters of urgent public importance.
The House expressed dismay that once again, the ASUU is threatening to proceed on another industrial action, the non-implementation of negotiated agreements on a matter that has been on the front burner for so long.
The Reps also noted that “the Federal Government has not been quite forthcoming, nor has it attached any consistent seriousness to the urgent need to reposition and refocus the education sector in line with our developmental objectives.
“Aware that the ASUU President has threatened to call out his members across the nation, if all the issues, including those of unpaid academically earned allowances and the universities revitalisation fund, are not addressed within a period of 3weeks.
“Further aware that the future of Nigerian Students once again will be negatively impacted, if this impending strike by ASUU is not nipped in the bud by the Federal Government.
“Recognising that incessant strikes disrupt the academic calendar and contribute significantly to the poor quality of graduates in the country, with far-reaching implications for national development.
“Also acknowledging that strikes encourage brain drain, migration of students abroad and low world rankings of our academic institutions.
“Embarrassed that the Federal Government has, since the last strike was called off in December, 2020 continued to pass the buck, make excuses and engage in diversions and distractions rather than meet the terms of agreement it signed with the Union.”
The Reps resolved to “urge the Federal Government to urgently take all necessary measures to open a realistic negotiation with ASUU to stop the strike and implement the signed agreement in the interest of our students, their parents, the education sector and the country.”