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The Senate on Friday waded into the dispute between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government.
The union embarked on a two-week warning strike over unresolved demands on Monday.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Muntari Dandutse, disclosed this after a meeting with the union at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Dandutse, who acknowledged “the concerns and frustrations” that had led to the strike, assured that the committee would take the issues raised by ASUU seriously.
READ ALSO: ASUU raises alarm, alleges attempt by Wike to seize UNIAbuja land
He said: “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-standing issue and a prolonged issue of the 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 committee resolved to convey its position to the Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“This is for a negotiation as soon as possible so that we can resolve this lingering problem.
“The Senate committee also agreed to interface with the Minister of FCT to resolve the issue of the University of Abuja’s land, which was not taken from them.
“Also, other needs will be studied and appropriate steps will be taken to ensure amicable resolution,” the lawmaker added.
Earlier, the ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, acknowledged that the situation that led to the strike did not start with the current administration.
“Unfortunately, the journey that led us to where we are today did not start with this executive,” he said.
The post Strike: Senate wades into Nigerian govt-ASUU dispute appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
