FG Appeals to Students, Others for Understanding As Universities Set For Resumption

The Federal Government has appealed to students, parents and lecturers in institutions of higher learning to shun acts capable of disrupting the academic session as schools set for resumption.

The Minister of State for Education, Hon. Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu made the appeal while hosting the leadership of the Congress of University Academics who paid him a courtesy call in Abuja.

According to a statement, the Minister, who disclosed this ahead of the resumption of academic activities in tertiary institutions in the country, emphasized the need for the show of restraint which is in the interest of all stakeholders and system stability.

He revealed that the Ministry is having constructive dialogue and consultation with stakeholders over the welfare of students and staff, as well as the provision of infrastructure in tertiary institutions.

Dr Sununu also acknowledged that strikes and non-use of facilities could lead to rapid infrastructural decay, promising that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will do everything humanly possible to avoid any situation that could lead to strikes.

Speaking earlier, the President, Congress of University Academics, comrade Niyi Sunmonu alerted the Minister that there is a likelihood of student unrest occasioned by the new increase in school fees, noting that the envisaged situation is capable of disrupting academic activities and the school calendar.  

The union also appealed to government to look into ways of improving the condition of service of academic and non-academic staff of universities, has deteriorated due to the fuel subsidy removal.

They however explained that there was need to revisit the issue of the 8-months salary arrears that arose from the last strike by the academic staff union of universities (ASUU), arguing that members of the Congress of University Academics did not go on strike.