The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, has described the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, as an anguish and internal turmoil to him.
The minister made the remark on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting between the federal government and Vice-Chancellors and Pro-Chancellors of federal universities.
The meeting was to find a solution to the strike which was started since February 14 and is ongoing.
Emphasising the need for the government and ASUU to resolve the crisis, the minister said:
“I used to think in a climate of frankness, and with mutual goodwill, an end or solution would have been found to incessant strikes in the education sector.
READ ALSO: ASUU strike: NLC to embark on nationwide protest, mobilises
“This has not been possible or, at least, not as easy and straightforward, as I used to think.”
He expressed worry over the position that ASUU had resolved not to negotiate with the government any longer.
According to the minister, the position was unacceptable as the nation’s educational system must be rescued from its present state.
He appealed to Vice Chancellors and Pro-Chancellors to promote policies and actions that would not give the opportunity for strike.
His words: “Government and ASUU have no option than to continue talking, until our universities are reopened to students who, clearly, are the principal victims of the seemingly unending strike.
“In this circumstance, therefore, all councils and senates of our universities are enjoined to rise up to their responsibilities.
“We must, together, continue to work to restore our public universities to where they are in the 60s and 70s.
“As the most important officers in our university system, Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors must demonstrate more commitment to ending the ongoing strike.”
The minister gave the assurance that the government would continue to do everything within its power to improve the physical and academic development of universities.
