The Federal Government (FG) is actively engaging the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in detailed discussions to prevent misunderstandings that could lead to new strikes in Nigeria’s public universities.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, shared this update on Thursday, August 29, during the inauguration of the new Board of Trustees for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the governing councils of several federal tertiary institutions in Abuja.
“We’ve been having meetings to tackle these issues head-on. Yesterday, we spent significant time developing a robust plan to address the concerns and prevent any potential strikes,” Mamman said.
He encouraged the management of tertiary institutions to view unions as partners and collaborate with them to ensure smooth operations and improve educational quality.
Mamman addressed the new board and council members, urging them to use their expertise and networks to attract resources and support for their institutions. He emphasized that the government has high expectations for addressing the challenges in tertiary education.
“Your appointment reflects your established track records, integrity, and experience. We hope you will use your skills to elevate our institutions and advance their commitment to quality teaching, learning, and research,” Mamman added.
He also highlighted ongoing challenges such as the limited capacity of universities and colleges and the disruption of academic calendars due to strikes. Mamman stressed the importance of councils in attracting resources from various sources to enhance institutional development.
“Councils have autonomy, but this is within the framework of national legislation. It’s crucial to use your contacts and networks to benefit the universities, not just focus on allowances and privileges,” Mamman advised.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arch. Sonny Echono, congratulated the newly appointed board members and councils, stressing the importance of their roles in the education sector.
“The education sector is fundamental to our national development. Nigeria’s growing youthful population needs preparation to seize opportunities and tackle national challenges,” Echono said.
Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, President of ASUU, also spoke, urging the proper use of TETFund resources. He noted that TETFund is crucial for sustaining tertiary education in Nigeria and emphasized the need for effective management of these funds.
“The current state of our educational system is dire, and TETFund is the only thing keeping it afloat. Properly managed, it can address many issues, but many projects from as far back as 2014 remain incomplete,” Osodeke said. He called for careful assessment of how TETFund resources have been used to benefit future generations.
