The House of Representatives has emphasised that Nigerian tertiary institutions can not afford to embark on another strike action.
The House of Representatives has expressed concern that Nigerian tertiary institutions can not afford to embark on another strike action to address the problems of the academic unions.
OrderPaper recalls that the sector has witnessed unprecedented strike actions over the last three decades as a result of disagreements and non-implementation of agreements between the Federal Government and the unions.
Notably, strike actions have continued to distort both the academic activities and calendar, thereby negatively affecting the early and timely completion of academic programmes and by extension, the future of students as a result of these incessant strikes.
The House emphasized the critical need for President Bola Tinubu to intervene, directing relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to engage in genuine negotiations to fully implement the 2009 agreement and other accords with academic and non-academic unions of Federal tertiary institutions.
The House further directed the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation, Accountant General of the Federation and other MDAs to ensure the full implementation and prompt payment of all the money due to the unions.
The House also advised the Federal Government to desist from any selective treatment of any of the unions to avoid a counter-strike action by sister unions.
The resolutions stemmed from a motion of urgent public importance presented by Rep. Abubakar Fulata ( APC, Jigawa) on the “Need to ensure full implementation of the agreements signed between the federal government of Nigeria and the Academic and Non-Acadamic unions of Federal Tertiary institutions to stop forthwith, any further strike action.”
Fulata noted that “ Education is the hub of the socio-economic, political and technological development of every nation which equips individuals with the knowledge, skills and Critical thinking abilities essential for effective decision-making and problem-solving, in shaping policies, laws, and the overall direction of a nation and the economy;
He further underscored “that for a country to attain its aspirations of socio-economic, political and technological development, it must have functional, sustainable, quality and stable tertiary educational system to be able to produce qualified and productive graduates in its labour force that will drive the process.”
Highlighting the the demands of the union so far which include the provision of infrastructural facilities, teaching aids and equipment, proper remuneration, welfare and allowances especially earned allowances, conducive working environment.
The Jigawa lawmaker said that the Union’s demands are genuine and implementable with the capacity to avert any reoccurrence of strike actions.
The motion has been referred to committees on University Education, Polytechnic, Federal Colleges of Education, Labour and Productivity, Finance and Legislative Compliance.
