Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

As ASUU, NASU, SSANU plan strike: Tinubu appeals for dialogue

POSTED ON October 23, 2024 •   Education      BY Benedicta Bassey
President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has called on the members of staff of Nigerian universities to a negotiation table for peace to prevail.

This is coming as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Senior Staff Associations of Nigerian Universities planned for strike following the failure of the government to meet their long standing demands.

The unions were demanding the payment of their withheld salaries during the 2022 strike, among others, as they faulted the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement.

Tinubu, however, urged that the unions to embrace dialogue to ensure universities in the country continue their academic activities without shutting down.

Speaking at the 39th convocation of the University of Ilorin, held at the institution’s main campus in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday, Tinubu said universities in the country need room for peace to foster prosperity.

The President who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, said that his administration was committed to uninterrupted academic sessions in the universities.

He said, “My government is committed to an uninterrupted academic calendar. Let me, therefore, appeal to the staff members of the nation’s universities to always give peace a chance.

“Our universities, just as the entire nation itself, need peace to ensure prosperity.

“Gone were the days when universities would be closed down over issues that could be resolved through constructive engagements.

“No one gains anything from the closure of institutions of learning. We have grown beyond that and we should not return to that path. We would not allow that to happen again.

“Our universities should always be open for continuous quality teaching, research and community service to flourish.”

The President, who stated that the Federal Government is trying to fulfil its own part of the agreement, said “It was in this regard that the 2009 Re-negotiation Committee between the Federal Government and universities-based associations and unions under the leadership of Dr Yayale Ahmed was inaugurated.

“Furthermore as part of efforts to sustain this, we have effected the payment of four months of the previously withheld salaries of academic staff of universities.

“I have also directed the payment of the withheld salaries of the non-teaching staff of the universities. This was purposely done to show the magnanimity of the present administration, despite the activation of the principle of the ‘no work no pay’ rule.

“In addition, the Federal Government has also directed that the payment of salaries of university staff members be removed from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) forthwith.

“This is in response to the consistent pleas of the university trade unions. We will ensure that this removal is effected without further delay,” Tinubu said.

Speaking on his achievements on education, the president said his administration introduced the students loans to tertiary institutions to cushion the effects of the current economic situation.

According to him, “Students of the University of Ilorin are not left out among the beneficiaries of this loan scheme.

“I am happy to inform you that the Nigerian Education Loans Fund (NELFUND) has come to stay to provide opportunities and access for students to learn with ease and pay back later.

“I, therefore, urge every student to take advantage of this privilege to better their lots,” he said.

Tinubu, however, urged the graduating students to join hands with other members of the society to solve the economic and security challenges facing the country.

In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Abiodun Aluko, promised to sustain the mission of the institution.

Aluko, a former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, said the council would introduce and promote innovative ideas that would take the university to greater heights.

12,042 graduates received certificates and diplomas at the 39th convocation of the University of Ilorin held in the University between Monday and Tuesday, October 21st and 22nd, 2024 out of which 256 First Class, 3,842 Second Class (Upper Division), 6,178 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,299 Third Class and 62 Pass.

“The 39th Convocation Ceremonies also include 124 MBBS graduands, 64 Nursing graduands, 35 Optometry graduands, 30 Veterinary Medicine graduands, 18 graduands with Distinction and 85 graduands with Pass in Pharmacy, one distinction and 32 Pass in Physiotherapy.

“We have a total of 16 Diploma degree holders. Furthermore, the total number of higher degrees to be awarded at the 39th convocation ceremonies is 1,875; out of this figure, there are 92 Postgraduate Diplomas, 1,280 Masters from various faculties, 179 Professional Masters, 1 MPhil and 323 PhDs,” he said.

READ ALSO
JAMB Schedules 2025 UTME Mop-Up Exam for June 28, 2025
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 22, 2025 0

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has scheduled the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matricul...

READ ALSO
Nigerian Rectors Advocate for AI Integration in Technical Training
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 22, 2025 0

The Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, and the Rector of the Federal Polytech...

READ ALSO
House of Representatives Exonerates Togo from Fraudulent Certificate Accusations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 20, 2025 0

The House of Representatives has cleared the Republic of Togo from any accusations related to the is...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Signs Bills for New Educational Institutions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 17, 2025 0

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has enacted three bills sponsored by Deputy Speaker of the House of Repr...

READ ALSO
NEITI, TETFund Join Forces to Ensure Effective Use of Educational Funds
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 17, 2025 0

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has reported that over N1.02 trill...

READ ALSO
Full Transition to Computer-Based Testing by 2026 Is Unrealistic - Danjuma
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 13, 2025 0

The national president of the Parents-Teachers Association of Nigeria, Haruna Danjuma, has criticize...

READ ALSO
NUT Commends Tinubu TVET Program to Boost Skills and Entrepreneurship
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 8, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Nigeria Union of Teachers has praised President Bola Tinubu’s groun...

READ ALSO
Students mobilise for Malaria Contest with N1b Geneith health
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

In an effort to tackle one of Nigeria’s deadliest diseases, Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd has la...

OUR CHANNELS:

French Police Arrest 12 over Alleged Drugging of Women at Music Festival
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

French police have arrested 12 individuals suspected of drugging female festivalgoers during the ann...


NATO Warns Iran Against Nuclear Weapon Development Amid Rising Tensions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a renewed effort to curb escalating violence in the Middle East, the North Atlantic Treaty Organi...


Mertens Announces Retirement from Football, Cites Age and Fatigue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Belgian football star Dries Mertens has officially announced his retirement from professional footba...


Qatar Closes Airspace After Iranian Strike on U.S. Base in Doha
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a swift move to safeguard lives and property, the government of Qatar has closed its airspace fol...


Tinubu Launches National Mechanised Farming Programme to Tackle Food Insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a bid to combat food insecurity and encourage youth participation in farming, President Bola Tinu...


NGX Opens Week Bullish, Gains N279bn Amid Renewed Investor Confidence
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) commenced the trading week on a bullish trajectory, adding N279...


EFCC Urges Students to Shun Internet Fraud, Embrace Positive Online Ventures
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on Ni...


Abia Govt Vows Crackdown After Cult Clash Leaves One Dead
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABIA, Nigeria - A suspected cultist was shot dead while another was apprehended following a violent...


Tinubu Showoff Chicago Classmate Amid Lingering Certificate Forgery Controversy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - Amid ongoing public debate over his academic credentials, President Bola Tinubu on...


Oil Prices Surge Amid U.S. Airstrikes on Iran's Nuclear Sites
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Oil prices rose on Monday while the dollar gained strength following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran's n...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu