The Senate has announced plans to step in and mediate the ongoing dispute between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government, expressing dismay over the government’s inability to fulfil the union’s long-standing demands.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Aliyu Dandutse, made this known after a closed-door meeting with ASUU leaders. He said the Senate would begin fresh negotiations involving key stakeholders — including ASUU, the Ministry of Education, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) — to achieve a lasting solution to the crisis.
On the contentious issue of land belonging to the University of Abuja, Dandutse confirmed that the Senate would also engage with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to reach a peaceful resolution.
“The Senate will meet with the FCT Minister regarding the land dispute, and other matters raised will be thoroughly examined. We are committed to ensuring a permanent and amicable settlement,” he said.
The committee further urged ASUU to submit a comprehensive list of its demands in writing, allowing lawmakers to consider immediate and long-term measures needed to strengthen Nigeria’s higher education system.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, reiterated that the union’s core demands — including improved funding, better working conditions, university revitalisation, and academic autonomy — have remained unchanged over the years.
He explained that the ongoing two-week warning strike, which began on 13 October, was triggered by unresolved issues dating back to 2011. “We have engaged the Federal Government for eight years without meaningful results. The Yayale Ahmed Committee report, submitted in December 2024, was neglected until this strike started,” Piwuna said.
He also disclosed that, although ₦150 billion was approved by the National Assembly for universities, only ₦50 billion had been released and was still withheld at the Ministry of Education. He warned that the funds must not be diverted to other tertiary institutions, as they were specifically allocated to universities.
ASUU further accused the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of attempting to claim part of the 10,000 hectares of land belonging to the University of Abuja. “Anyone serious about advancing higher education should be focused on development, not land acquisition. The university’s land must remain intact,” the union warned, calling on the Senate to intervene.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has maintained that it has addressed ASUU’s key demands and remains open to dialogue, insisting that the “no work, no pay” policy will remain in effect for the duration of the strike.