Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday directed the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to end the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) within the next two weeks, reported The Punch.
As per reports, the President gave the directive on Tuesday during a meeting with relevant government Ministries, Agencies, and Departments (MDAs) where he received briefings on the current face-off with the university unions.
The Nigerian president also instructed that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, must be in attendance in all the meetings to speedily resolve the crisis.
The country’s ASUU asked its members to cease work on February 14 over the adoption of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) of the government as the payment system in the university sector and have not returned since then. They are protesting against the Nigerian government’s failure to implement a 2009 deal that would ensure a better pay for the lecturers and improve facilities in higher learning institutions.
The union claims that their actions are in the best interests of the students, who are forced to stay longer in school due to the disruption in the school calendar.
The Nigerian government officials and Union members have been holding talks to find solutions to end the strike, but they have not been successful as yet.
Workers in the oil and gas industry have also threatened to join the striking teachers, a situation that is likely to worsen fuel shortages in the country.
Nigeria is currently facing a situation of insecurity following a wave of kidnappings, high unemployment, inflation and low growth. Meanwhile, the government is experiencing low revenues and large deficits, despite high oil prices, leading to a hike in the prices of everyday items.
The country will hold general elections early next year to choose a new president, state governors and lawmakers.
