The Academic Staff Union Universities and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics have advised Nigerians to vote for leaders who will invest in education.

The National Presidents of ASUU and ASUP, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke and Dr Anderson Ezeibe, respectively, told our correspondent in an interview that the only way strike could be avoided in the education sector and general progress made was if Nigerians should elect leaders that believed in education.

Osodeke explained that “I hope after the election, we will have somebody who believes in education as the catalyst for the growth of the country because the recent government doesn’t believe in it. The catalyst for growth for any government is an investment in education, especially tertiary education. “

Osodeke emphasised that the strike was not an issue but a symptom that something was wrong.

“Any day we have a government that is serious about education, we won’t have strike actions again. When you invest in education, there won’t be a strike. We were negotiating and we have gone far, suddenly, the government disbanded the committee because they believed that the court has ordered ASUU to resume.

“We should look for someone who believes in education and believes that for you to grow, you must have good education and quality healthcare.

“Among the 18 contestants, look for the one that has plans for education and believes in investing in education.”

ASUU, University of Lagos chapter, Dr Dele Ashiru, said,

“ASUU expects the conclusion of the 2022 FGN/ASUU Renegotiated Agreement, payment of all withheld salaries, a commitment to adequate funding of education at all levels as well as a demonstration of absolute fidelity with the Agreement when eventually signed. What we actually need is System Change.

“Irrespective of who wins the election unless we change the system it may be difficult to move forward as a nation. Change the structure of Nigeria to make it work for the people and not a selected few.

Only government action(s) or inaction(s) can determine that. Our union only responds to the government’s insensitivity. “

In his opinion, Ezeibe said Nigeria needed leaders who were open-minded and had knowledge of the challenges in the education sector.

“We need leaders who are humane and passionate about resolving the issues in the sector. Such a person should have adequate knowledge of the challenges with an open mind for inclusive engagements that will lead to sustainable solutions. “

He also insisted that government should also conclude the ongoing renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement.

“ASUP expects the government to conclude the ongoing renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement which is long overdue.

“This should be achieved through the sincere conclusion of the collective bargaining process which commenced in 2017 and when concluded will resolve a lot of lingering issues in the sector. We expect the government to respect agreements, respect laws/statutes, respect the staff unions. We generally expect a reorientation in terms of the government’s disposition to education. “

Mr Remi Ajiboye of Yaba College of Technology, said, ASUP expect the government to speedily fulfil her parts of several MOU&A this year as preventive measures against the possibility of strike resumption.

Ajiboye explained that “For now those who are contesting and who are likely to win are members of the old order so we are left without the kind of option we would have wished to have in the leaders but we must make a choice.

“I wish to advise Nigerians to search for more information about the candidates as per their records and contributions to humanity most especially in their respective local environment or community.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has denied committing himself to offsetting the arrears of salaries owed members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by the Federal Government.

The denial is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Information, Mr Benjamin Kalu.

The denial followed alleged claims by the ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke that Gbajabiamila had failed to deliver on a written commitment that the government would offset the lecturers’ salary arrears immediately after calling off their strike.

According to Kalu, the Speaker never made such commitment.

He however said that the House had resolved to improve the welfare package of university lecturers and provide more money for universities revitalisation fund.

According to him, these commitments have been reflected in the 2023 Appropriation Bill, which include N170 billion to raise the welfare package of university lecturers and additional N300 billion revitalisation fund.

Kalu also said that the House has been working with key stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of elements of ASUU’s University Transparency and Accountability Solution into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.

“This effort is being supervised by the Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education, Rep. Aminu Suleiman,” he added.

Kalu said, “The public interest in ensuring a well-functioning tertiary education sector is a matter of paramount concern for all who understand the transformational role of education in any society.

“For this reason, the 9th House of Representatives has been consistent in our efforts to explore avenues for reform and improvement to the framework of public education in the country from basic education through tertiary.

“Our objectives in this regard will not be achieved when stakeholders choose to ignore substantive issues and the consideration of bold ideas in favour of cheap blackmail and immoral propaganda.”

He therefore urged the ASUU president to work with all stakeholders for the common good of all.