2023: Atiku Backs ASUU, Explains Why Education Should Be Funded

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar on Friday talked about funding the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Naija News reports that Nigeria’s public university lecturers have been on strike for months now over the refusal of the government to meet their demands.

A series of round table talks have been held but to no avail as the two parties could not agree on certain terms.

Taking to his verified Twitter page on Friday evening, Atiku who is hoping to become Nigeria’s next president said education is his priority and that was why he had invested in it.

The presidential hopeful said it is a terrible thing to waste the mind. He stressed that investment in education pays the best dividend.

Atiku tweeted: “The mind is a very terrible thing to waste. It may be a bit cliche, but I nevertheless believe this. And strongly too. Education is a priority to me. That is why I invested in it and even furthered my education.

“An investment in education pays the best dividend. Let us fund ASUU for the sake of our youth! -AA”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has said it would embark on a one-day national protest to force the Federal Government to meet the demands of university-based unions.

The decision of congress comes after reports from a meeting of its Central Working Committee showed a lack of progress in the negotiation with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and National Association of Academic Technologists.

Speaking during the opening of the National Executive Council meeting of the Congress, the President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba directed all the affiliate unions of the NLC to issue directives on the planned one-day national protest from next week.

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