We’re focused on dialogue to end frequent ASUU strikes – President Tinubu

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that his administration is focused on creating an enabling environment for sustainable dialogue in order to bring the frequent strike actions by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to a permanent end.

The President stated this on Saturday while speaking at the 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th combined convocation ceremony of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University ATBU Bauchi held at Gubi Campus.

Represented by the Director, University Department, Mr Ocheidi James, the President said having recognized that Nigerian universities have witnessed untold hardship situation over the years due to frequent strike actions, the federal government under his watch is resolute in bringing it to an end by addressing some of the root causes of the frequent industrial dispute.

“We will work to end the frequent strike in our universities and other tertiary institutions in order to end the wanton disruptions of academic calendar and waste of time in our universities”, the president pledged.

He informed that the present administration is steadily consciously studying the education sector, including the tertiary sub-sector with a view to finding workable blueprint for achieving greater success in service delivery.

President Tinubu congratulated the management of the university for combining the convocation ceremony of four sets of graduands which he described as uneasy task.

He acknowledged the resilience of the academics within the university subsector for giving their best despite difficult circumstances.

The president assured that his administration will do everything within its power and limited resources to ensure that Nigerian university system get improved in tune with the global practice.

While commending the university system in the country for recording tremendous achievements, the president expressed delight that unquantifiable number of Nigerians have been trained as professionals in every field.

According to him, the university system in the country has made many Nigerians experts in various disciplines that are contributing to development, not only the country but globally.

He said in order to safeguard the sanctity of Nigerian graduates, the federal government has noted the gradual encroachment of fake degree certificates acquired by some unpatriotic Nigerians from some institutions mostly outside the country.

“Mechanisms have been put in place to bring this unwholesome practice to an end, and those who engaged in this shall face the wrath of the law”, he said.

President Tinubu urged the university management to intensify its collaborative effort with the universities across the globe in order to cross fertilize research ideas and pursuit for the benefit of Nigeria.

“I am aware of the landmark achievements the Nigerian academics have recorded in the areas of research in science and technology. Few countries in Africa can boast of the robust and vibrant research activities leading to amazing discoveries as been done by Nigerian researchers”, the president said.

He vowed never to allow such effort by patriotic Nigerians go in vain, adding that his administration more than ever ready to give them all the needed support to do more.

“We must continue to invest in education, especially in research to ensure that our graduates remained competitive in a repetitive changing world”, the president stressed.