President Muhammad Buhari has expressed the federal government’s readiness to change the narrative and constraints bedevilling Nigerian university system to consolidate the advancement of higher education in the country.
He made the pledge as visitor to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria at its 41st convocation ceremony and conferment of honoury degrees on Aliko Dangote and Hassan Sunmonu, former president, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) held at Mamman Kontagora Convocation Square of the institution.
Represented by the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, the president said “Government is fully aware of constraints and challenges in the university system and will be leaving no stone unturned to change the narrative.”
He, however, expressed worry over the incessant strikes and threats by various staff unions in the university system.
“Obviously, industrial actions through strikes are inexorably inimical to the health and progress of any university system. It is particularly worrisome and disheartening to note the grievous loss in time and learning hours by our young men and women in their quest to graduate and join the nation building effort.
“I will like to seize this opportunity to appeal to the leadership and rank and file of all university-based unions to be more sensitive in their pursuit of welfare and other demands in the university system.
“It is only when there is peace and stability that the government is able to consolidate the gains and successes recorded in the advancement of the cause of higher education in this country,” he said.
Buhari then tasked universities to think out of the box in order to proffer implantable strategies that will take the education system beyond the usual funding rhetoric.
Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Ibrahim Garba said 15,787 graduands were presented for convocation in the 2017/2018 academic session.
