Victoria Mgbanwa
The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is taking significant steps to prevent another potential strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
According to the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha explained that the federal government In an ongoing effort to stabilize Nigeria’s educational sector, Onyejeocha reassured the public that the government is fully engaged in addressing ASUU’s concerns and averting disruptions in university education.
Speaking during her 17th annual free medical outreach in Isuochi, Abia State, the minister emphasized that the government’s broader reforms—though difficult—are necessary to address Nigeria’s underlying economic challenges. According to Onyejeocha, these reforms, championed by President Tinubu, are designed to tackle the nation’s long-standing financial difficulties and create a foundation for long-term stability and growth.
She said:”For the ASUU strike, it’s being sorted out, and I know that very soon, those issues will be resolved. On the looming nationwide strike, we met with the NLC leadership on Wednesday and we had fruitful deliberations. We were able to tell them the state of the nation. It’s good to let the Organised Labour know what the government is doing.”
“We can’t fold our hands and expect manner to fall from heaven. The President is trying to fix things. The decisions we are making are not easy but they are ultimately for our good as a country.
” Some of the things causing the hunger were what the Government of the day inherited. People who were here before did not take appropriate actions to say stop where they should say stop.
” But now President Tinubu has said that this haemorrhage has to stop. We can’t continue to pay fuel subsidy.
” So, that’s the pain that everybody is going through, and I don’t think we should fold our hands and continue this way. It’s not all about providing subsidies because. If you provide subsidy to the extent that you don’t have a country, what happens?
” Previous Governments right from ex-President Obasanjo were borrowing to pay subsidies. It’s like you are spending what you don’t have. For how long will that continue? We are blessed in this country, and this is the time for us to right the wrongs so we can enjoy the blessings of God. And that’s what President Tinubu is doing.
Addressing other national issues, Onyejeocha reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving security, which she linked to the agricultural sector’s revival. With improved security, she argued, farmers would be able to return to their farms, boosting food production and alleviating hunger.
” But we have resolved that this is our country. We must take certain decisions, even though they’re hurting, we want NNPC to get back on its feet to be able to contribute to the budget of the federal government. When that is done, all these complaints about hunger will be a thing of the past.”
” Government is taking seriously the issue of security. If you have security, farmers will go back to farming. We plead that Nigerians should put their hands together to support the President in his reforms. We are looking towards a nation where there will be prosperity for everybody.”
Onyejeocha who said the era of trading blame was over, urged Nigerians irrespective of their political leanings to support President Tinubu.
” If we continue to talk about party we will plunge into disaster. We are not blaming anybody. The President has said that he solicited for the job. He had no regrets. He said he had inherited everything and would make sure he did the right things. So, what APC is focusing on now is to get things right.”
Recall that ASUU recently issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding the clearance of four months of salary arrears owed to its members from the 2020 strike. Additionally, the union seeks a migration from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPS) to the University Transparency and Accountability System (UTAS), along with other financial demands. Onyejeocha expressed optimism that the ongoing negotiations with ASUU would soon lead to a resolution, preventing further disruptions in higher education.
