ASUU strike: Eight months wasted… now is a time for reflection, says Atiku

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says he will prioritise reforms and investment in education if elected as president.

The former vice-president was reacting to the suspension of the eight-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

ASUU had embarked on strike on February 14, 2022, amid demands for revitalising public universities, a review of lecturers’ salaries and allowances, among other matters.

But the national executive council (NEC) of ASUU, on Friday, announced the suspension of the strike.

Reacting to the development in a statement on his social media handles, Abubakar advised lecturers against incessant strikes, saying such does not encourage the spirit of scholarship.

He also urged the federal government to fulfil its terms of the agreement with ASUU to avoid another strike.

“The last eight months have been a wasted period as far as Nigeria’s higher education and the accrual benefits are concerned,” he said.

“It is a relief for everyone concerned that the ASUU strike action has been ‘conditionally’ called off.

“Now is a time for reflection and the charting of a new course that will prioritise education as a critical driver of national growth and development.

“It is not negotiable that requisite investment must be channelled into education. And for the organised teachers, they need to understand and appreciate that the constant disruption to the university calendar is damaging to the spirit of scholarship.

“Though the strike action has dragged on for too long, I am thankful to ASUU for suspending the strike & urge the federal government to fulfil its terms of the bargain to ensure that students of higher institutions of learning and their parents do not go through this ordeal again.

”On my part, if I am given the opportunity to preside over the affairs of our country, I’ll prioritise reforms and investment in education.”

The last eight months have been a wasted period as far as Nigeria's higher education and the accrual benefits are concerned.

It is a relief for everyone concerned that the ASUU strike action has been "conditionally" called off.

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) October 14, 2022

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