The presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, has promised that his administration will substantially invest in the education sector to avoid the reoccurrence of ASUU strikes if elected.
Newsonline reports that Atiku stated that though the Academic Staff Union of Universities, conditionally called off the eight months strike, his administration will chart a new course and prioritize education when elected in 2023.
The PDP presidential candidate who stated this in reaction to the calling off of the ASUU strike which started on February 14 called on the Buhari-led APC government to fulfill their promise to the university lecturers body to avoid another strike.
Atiku said, “The last eight months have been a wasted period as far as Nigeria’s higher education and the accrual benefits are concerned.
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“It is a relief for everyone concerned that the ASUU strike action has been “conditionally” called off.
Now is a time for reflection and the charting of a new course that will prioritize education as a critical driver of national growth and development.
“It is not negotiable that requisite investment must be channeled into education. And for the organized teachers, they need to understand and appreciate that the constant disruption to the university calendar is damaging to the spirit of scholarship.
“Though the strike action has dragged on for too long, I am thankful to ASUU for suspending the strike & urge the federal government to fulfil its terms of the bargain to ensure that students of higher institutions of learning and their parents do not go through this ordeal again.
“On my part, if I am given the opportunity to preside over the affairs of our country, I’ll prioritize reforms and investment in education.”
