Tinubu @UNILAG Convocation: No More ASUU Strike

The frequent strikes by the Academic Staff Union, ASUU in the country has come to an end, President Bola Tinubu has declared. 

Tinubu gave the assurance at the weekend during the 56th Convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, Lagos. He was represented at the event by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.

The magazine reports that close to  17,000 students for the 2024/2025 academic session, graduated in diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs from the institution. 

According to him, the federal government has put everything in place to ensure that strike actions by academic unions in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, including ASUU becomes a thing of the past.

Tinubu stated that the federal government has embarked on key reforms to ensure a strike-free academic sessions in the nation’s tertiary education sector, such reforms include  the Nigerian Education Loans Fund, NELFUND, which provide loans to students in public owned universities and Polytechnics, the Institutional Staff Support Fund for tertiary school workers, and several other initiatives.

He also cited a recently signed agreement between ASUU and the federal government to resolve the long drawn crisis over the emolument and salary of university lecturers workers which started in 2009, saying the agreement is a turning point in the history of the tertiary education in the country, which he said will now guarantee stability in the nation’s university system.

“Since the inception of my administration, we have witnessed two uninterrupted academic sessions across our tertiary institutions, and this is no accident. It is the result of firm political will, sustained dialogue, and responsible leadership.

“For example, acting under my direct mandate, we have been able to sign a new agreement with ASUU that decisively resolves a crisis that has persisted for years and undermined confidence in our university system,” Tinubu said.

“This landmark achievement marks a turning point in the history of our tertiary education, guaranteeing industrial harmony and a predictable academic calendar. It will restore the dignity of learning and clearly end the era of perennial strikes in our universities.

“My administration will continue to pursue far-reaching reforms across the education sector for a technology-driven future, including curriculum restructuring, quality assurance, promotion of skill-based learning and literacy, and fostering data-competence-based, innovation-led problem-solving.”