Buhari, Sultan, Oyegun task ASUU, other trade unions on negotiations, strike

From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, appealed to trade unions in public universities to always show restraints and pursue the achievement of their goals through negotiations and mutual respect, instead of embarking on strike every time.

He said incessant industrial actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) only compound the already poor state of the education sector and erode the national and international reputation of public universities, as well as have adverse effect on the reputation of Nigerian universities in the perspective of the international community.

The president made the appeal in his visitor’s address presented at the 74th Foundation’s Day/2022 convocation ceremonies of the University of Ibadan, yesterday.

ASUU, in October, called off its eight months strike over some salient issues with the Federal Government.

Buhari, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, National University Commission (NUC), Abubakar Rasheed, said: “The university system holds the key to the future of any nation.

Therefore, there is the need for discipline and stability in our universities. It is disheartening that in this outgoing year, virtually all the university trade unions – ASUU, SSANU, NANU, declared protracted trade dispute with dire consequences for our economy. It is an unnecessary distraction of the academic calendar of our universities, and its consequences of frustration and insecurity among our youths.

“I must state clearly that there is need for the trade unions, especially ASUU, to shun the weapon of strike as a tool for pressing home their demands. Strikes only compound the already poor state of our education sector and erode the national and international reputation of our public universities. I, therefore, wish to appeal to our unions to always show restraints and seek their goals through negotiations and mutual respect at all times.

“Let me assure all stakeholders in the education sector that the Federal Government remains committed to the welfare of all staff and students. We shall continue to deal with the many contending issues in our various institutions within the limit of the resources available to government.

“On their parts, the university staff and other stakeholders need to appreciate the fact that our national economy, like the economies of most countries of the world, has not been in good shape since, and even before COVID-19 pandemic. But my government’s commitment remains unshaken. We recognise that education in general and the university education in particular is fundamental to the success of our knowledge economy and a stable society,” he said.

Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, who is the chancellor of the university, also urged the unions to shun strike as a tool for pressing home their demands. He said it should be used as a last weapon after all other means have been exhausted.

“We hope the unions would explore other dispute resolution mechanisms when the need arises.”

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, John Odigie-Oyegun, equally enjoined all unions that “it is important we sheathe our sword and ensure for the future, a crisis free and uninterrupted academic session in the university in the interest of our youths, who are the future generation. As the governing council of this university, we have demonstrated, at all times, that we are always ready to listen and dialogue with the various unions with a view to satisfying legitimate demands within the ambits of rules and resources available to the university.”

Vice Chancellor, Kayode Adebowale, who identified funding as a great challenge, called for a special funding status for institution for the next 10 years. He said 5,227 students bagged first degree, among them 233 First Class Honours. He said 647 candidates were also awarded postgraduate honours while 153 bagged Doctor of Philosophy degrees.