On Monday, President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.) expressed regret over the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU) refusal to end its strike, adding that enough should be enough for keeping students at home. He made this comment on Monday in Daura, Katsina State when he hosted lawmakers, some APC governors, and other political figures at his home.
The ASUU strike is already in its fifth month, and there is little sign of it ending anytime soon because the professors have not changed their positions on their demands.
Buhari asked the professors to change their minds about the protracted strike, warning that the situation will have long-term effects on families, the educational system, and the nation’s ability to prosper in the future. The President claimed that the walkout had a negative psychological impact on parents, students, and other stakeholders. He stated that the caliber of educational institutions and education depended on the destiny of the nation. He suggested that talks proceed while pupils are back in school while assuring the administration that he understood the union’s position.
A statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted him as saying, “We hope that ASUU will sympathize with the people on the prolonged strike. Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake.”
Buhari urged all well-meaning Nigerians to get involved and convince the lecturers to continue, especially those close to the union’s leaders and members. The President pointed out that keeping Nigerian university students at home would only deprive them of the time, opportunities, and skills necessary to be relevant on the international stage, and that they would face difficulties competing with peers in a highly connected and technologically advanced workplace.
He said, “Colonial type education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there. Our young people should get education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education. “Through technology, we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get education, not only to look for government jobs.”
