President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that his administration would take all necessary actions to ensure Nigeria universities do not embark on strike actions again.
President Tinubu said the federal government was willing to establish synergy with all the academic unions within universities in the country as well as exhaust all avenues for dialogue before any strike action.
Speaking at the 33rd convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, President Tinubu expressed hope that the cooperation of the unions with the federal government would ensure the needed educational development in the country.
Tinubu, who was represented by a former President of West Africa College of Surgeon, Prof. King-David Terna Yawe, said the synergy would help to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility on all campuses.
The President said his administration was committed to tackling all challenges confronting the education sector in the country and to reposition the sector.
“I would like to enjoin all the unions in our universities to cooperate with the government in order to deliver the needed development by ensuring an atmosphere of peace and tranquility on our campuses.
“On our part, we will ensure that motivational activities are put in place to ensure improved productivity. Reciprocal actions would be expected from our universities as government works hard to raise the bar for conducive teaching and learning environment.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. Dialogue, patience, and positive engagements are better means of achieving results over strike actions. Industrial disharmony does nothing but to disrupt life, waste time and elongate academic calendar.
“Therefore, all avenues for dialogue must be explored and exhausted before strike actions are considered, and as the last resort.”
On the students loan, he said: “This Act will enable indigent students in all our tertiary institutions have access to interest-free loans, which they would pay back at their convenience in future when they are gainfully employed.
“Under my watch and as I have said in my manifesto, no student will drop out of school as a result of inability to pay school charges.
“My government would not shirk its responsibilities in this regard. We will ensure that educational institutions get their dues in order to perform their statutory duties optimally.”
The Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said a total of 195 out of the 3,491 outgoing students graduated with First Class. These, he said, include 2,295 male and 1,196 female.
The Vice-chancellor said out of the total number, 195 students had first class, 1,510 had second class honours (upper division), 1,515 students had second class honours (lower division) while 254 and two students are graduating with third class and pass respectively.
