FG assures ASUU of prompt intervention

Following the outcry of Nigerian lecturers over the payment of half salaries as opposed to its agreement with the federal government, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has appealed to the members of the academic union to remain calm and gave the assurance of an effective intervention of the President over their concerns. 

In a statement signed by the Speaker, he noted that efforts to find lasting solutions to the concerns frequently raised by the union were underway and President Buhari had shown interest to deal with the latest concerns raised by the union. 

The statement read  “When the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, called off their industrial action three weeks ago, it meant that academic activities could resume in our nation’s public universities, and students could return to their academic pursuits after the prolonged interruption. This decision was rightly heralded nationwide as the correct decision.

“Since then, the executive and the House of Representatives have worked to address the issues that led to the strike. We are currently working on the 2023 Appropriations Bill, which includes N170 billion to provide a level of increment in the welfare package of university lecturers. 

“The bill also includes additional N300 billion revitalization funds to improve the infrastructure and operations of federal universities.
“Furthermore, the House of Representatives has convinced the Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and other stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of elements of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, UTAS, into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS. 

“This effort is being supervised by Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education, Aminu Suleiman.”
He moreover noted that the decision of the executive to pay half-salaries was based on the law and the government’s legitimate interest in preventing moral hazard and discouraging disruptive industrial actions, did not obligate them to pay salaries to lecturers for months spent on the strike.

Gbajabiamila however reiterated his plans and commitment to provide sustainable reforms to the Nation’s Tertiary education system, noting that its challenges were multifaceted, hence the need for all stakeholders to come together to proffer lasting solutions. He stated that a national summit was imminent.
This summit would convene all relevant stakeholders to bring up suggestions on how to better fund the educational sector.
He said “To that end, the House of Representatives is convening a national summit on Tertiary Education Reform. We have called for papers and memoranda from members of the public. 
“The submissions we receive and expert presentations at the summit will inform our policy recommendations and actions.
“I urge all citizens and stakeholders to participate in this crucial effort to reinvent our public tertiary institutions into respected citadels of learning.”