By Kayode Araba
Thus, the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, chaired by Senator Mohammed Dandutse Muntari (Katsina South), on Friday held a crucial meeting with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Abuja, reaffirming the National Assembly’s commitment to ending the persistent crises plaguing Nigeria’s university system.
And the high-level engagement, which later went into a closed-door session, focused on critical issues including inadequate funding, lecturers’ welfare, revitalization of universities, unpaid salary arrears, and a looming land dispute between the University of Abuja and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Senator Muntari assured that the Senate was determined to mediate between ASUU and the executive arm to prevent further disruptions also he said the meeting’s objective was to “listen, engage, and act” toward achieving sustainable funding and improved welfare for lecturers.
Meanwhile, ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, explained that the ongoing two-week warning strike was not spontaneous but a response to years of unfulfilled agreements with successive governments. He cited the long-delayed renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement, noting that the latest draft submitted in December 2024 had been ignored until the union resorted to industrial action.
He also said our members are disillusioned because the same promises keep resurfacing without implementation
ASUU also raised alarm over the attempt by the FCT Minister to reclaim portions of the University of Abuja’s land originally allocated for academic and agricultural development. Union representatives warned that such action could cripple the university’s future expansion and research capacity.
However, Senator Muntari pledged that the committee would compile a comprehensive report and brief the Senate President before forwarding practical recommendations to President Tinubu for urgent action.
“We will not let this matter rest,” he vowed. “Education is the backbone of national development. We must protect our universities, their staff, and their integrity.”