Strike: Senate wades into FG-ASUU crisis

The Senate on Friday intervened in the ongoing crisis between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the Federal Government, which has led to a 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.

“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,” the senator said.