President Muhammadu Buhari, has tasked the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other trade unions to employ negotiations and shun strike as a tool for pressing home their demands.
Buhari stated this at the 74th Foundation Day and Convocation Ceremonies of University of Ibadan (UI) in Ibadan on Thursday.
He was represented by Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC)
Buhari commended efforts of the university administration in maintaining the great reputation upon which the institution was established.
He appreciated the leading role of the institution in the postgraduate education and the production of the much needed academic staff for tertiary institutions within and outside Nigeria.
Buhari said there was a need for discipline and stability in all universities which held the key to the future of any nation.
He said that it was disheartening that all the universities trade unions declared protracted trade disputes in 2022.
The president said that the disputes had dire consequences for the economy and unnecessary disruption of the academic calendar of universities.
“There is a need for the trade unions, especially ASUU, to shun the weapon of strike as a tool for pressing home their demands.
“Strike only compounds the already poor state of our education sector, and erodes the national and international reputation of our public universities.”
He urged the organised private sector to continue its support for the education sector, adding that the government cannot do it alone.