Agbese Warns NLC Against Joining ASUU Strike

Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) not to join the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), warning that such action could derail the progress being made in the education sector.

Speaking with journalists after Tuesday’s plenary session, Agbese appealed to both ASUU and the NLC to give room for stability in the education system, stressing that the sector needs time to recover from years of disruptions caused by repeated industrial actions.

The lawmaker’s comments followed the NLC’s recent four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve its dispute with tertiary institution unions or face joint action. The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, had threatened that the congress would take further steps if negotiations remained unresolved.

Agbese, who represents Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State, described the reforms being carried out by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, as bold and forward-looking. He said the government’s recent efforts were geared toward restoring efficiency, transparency, and innovation in university management.

According to him, several improvements have been made under the current administration, including an increase in annual tertiary admission capacity from 750,000 to one million students, harmonised tuition policies through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and renewed focus on research and digital learning.

The lawmaker also pointed to the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) Roadmap as a key framework for transforming the education system. He added that the student loan programme being managed by NELFUND has made higher education more accessible for students from low-income families.

Agbese further cited the World Bank-backed Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) as another major stride under the education ministry. The project, he said, has improved school infrastructure and supported girls’ education through conditional cash transfers and digital skill training.

He argued that these programmes were already showing positive results and could be undermined by another strike. The lawmaker called on ASUU to embrace dialogue and work with the National Assembly in resolving grievances, noting that the current Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, has always shown readiness to mediate in such disputes.

Agbese urged the academic union to move beyond constant strikes and take on a more strategic role in shaping educational policy. He said that repeated industrial actions often hurt poor families most, as their children depend on public institutions for education.

He reaffirmed that the National Assembly remains open to discussions that promote peace and progress in the sector, adding that collaboration rather than confrontation is the best way to achieve lasting improvement in Nigeria’s educational system.