The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) Nigeria has called on the National Assembly to amend the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Act to accommodate the union in the commission’s governing structure.
The union also urged lawmakers to include provisions safeguarding its representation on corresponding state-level education boards.
ASUSS made the demands on Saturday while presenting its memorandum on the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 at a public hearing organised by committees of the Senate and House of Representatives at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Presenting the memorandum at the New Senate Building ASUSS National President Comrade Sola Adigun said the union’s presence in more than 24 states including its exclusive representation of secondary school teachers in over 12 states justified its inclusion in the commission’s governance structure.
Adigun argued that excluding the union would limit organised secondary school teachers’ participation in decisions affecting their profession and the quality of education in the country.
He said the proposed amendment should promote inclusive education governance by recognising the union’s role in representing teachers at the national level.
ASUSS also urged lawmakers to ensure that the amendment did not override existing state laws and administrative arrangements that recognise its participation in education governance.
On state administration the union rejected the proposed part-time chairmanship of state commissions advocating a full-time chairman to ensure effective supervision policy coordination and sustained stakeholder engagement.
It recommended filling the position with an experienced educationist through a transparent merit-based process with clearly defined tenure responsibilities and accountability measures.
The union supported the proposed removal of a PhD as a mandatory qualification for appointment as Chairman and Executive Secretary of the Commission at both federal and state levels.
It argued that professional competence relevant qualifications and experience in educational administration should take precedence over an obligatory doctorate.
ASUSS also backed the inclusion of the 110 Unity Secondary Schools Armed Forces Secondary Schools and public secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory in the Commission’s coverage describing the move as necessary for a more comprehensive national education framework.
Defends position at hearing
The hearing also witnessed an exchange over teachers’ representation after a lawyer representing the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) reportedly claimed that the union was the only body representing teachers in Nigeria.
The intervention was disallowed allowing proceedings to focus on the proposed amendments.
ASUSS maintained that its demand was based on its membership strength national spread and direct involvement in the professional interests of secondary school teachers.
The union urged lawmakers to ensure that the final amendment promotes inclusive governance professional participation administrative efficiency and accountability.
It also called for regular consultation with relevant stakeholders on policies affecting secondary school teachers and the delivery of quality education.
ASUSS reaffirmed its commitment to improving secondary education and advancing teachers’ welfare and professional development insisting that those responsible for implementing education policies must have a recognised voice in the institutions governing the sector.