President Bola Tinubu has called on members of Nigerian university staff to prioritize peace and take advantage of the negotiation opportunities presented by his administration.
This appeal comes amid threats of strikes from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), and other associations, primarily due to unresolved issues such as unpaid salaries from a previous strike and the non-implementation of a 2009 agreement.
Speaking at the University of Ilorin’s 39th convocation, represented by Minister of State for Education Yusuf Sununu, Tinubu emphasized his commitment to ensuring uninterrupted academic sessions. He stated, “Our universities, just as the entire nation itself, need peace to ensure prosperity,” and urged university staff to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to strikes.
Tinubu highlighted that the Nigerian Government has already paid four months of withheld salaries to academic staff and is also working on settling the unpaid salaries of non-teaching staff. He announced that university staff salaries would be removed from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in response to the unions’ requests.
The President also introduced the Nigerian Education Loans Fund (NELFUND) to assist students financially, urging them to take advantage of this opportunity.
At the convocation, 12,042 graduates received their certificates, with notable achievements highlighted across various disciplines, including health sciences. Pro-Chancellor Abiodun Aluko pledged to promote innovative ideas within the university, while Vice-Chancellor Prof. Wahab Egbewole encouraged graduates to continuously learn and adapt to future challenges.
