Tinubu urges ASUU, NASU, others to ensure uninterrupted sessions in universities

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, appealed to Nigerian universities staff to prioritize peace and seize negotiation opportunities, ensuring uninterrupted academic sessions.

Represented by Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, at the University of Ilorin’s 39th convocation, Tinubu emphasized harmony’s role in driving prosperity.

“My government is committed to an uninterrupted academic calendar,” Sununu stated. “Let me appeal to university staff to give peace a chance. Our universities, like the nation, need peace for prosperity.”

Tinubu’s administration vows to prevent university closures over resolvable issues. “Gone are the days when universities would be shut down over issues that could be resolved through constructive engagements,” Sununu emphasized. “No one gains from closing institutions of learning. We’ve grown beyond that and we should not return to that path. We would not allow that to happen again. Our universities should always be open for continuous quality teaching, research and community service to flourish.

READ ALSO: NASU, SSANU decry ASUU’s ‘preferential treatment’ at inauguration of re-negotiation committee

“We would, therefore, ensure that the Federal Government and our various universities enjoy a new form of good and positive relationship in the interest of the nation and humanity”, the President said.

The President reassured stakeholders of improved government-university relations. “We’ll ensure the Federal Government and universities enjoy a positive relationship, sustained through honest and consistent open engagement.”

Tinubu’s proposals include public-private partnerships to bolster universities. “We encourage businesses, communities and individuals to support educational institutions, replicating international models.”

The two major groups in Nigerian universities that have interrupted academic sessions by embarking on industrial actions are the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Non Staff Union of Universities (NASU).

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