The President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has described the Federal Government’s 2009 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, as one signed in error.
Speaking with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students led by its President, Asefon Sunday Adedayo at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, Lawan stressed that it has now become clear to every party that the agreement signed with ASUU by the previous administration is not realistic.
“To me, the 2009 agreement was signed in error and I believe the government should not have signed it. This is because there are no resources to provide all the items on the agreement.
“I can assure you that we will bring ASUU and FG back to the negotiation table in the interest of the development of the country because no nation can develop meaningfully and sustainably without educating its citizens.
“As a nation, we know that we have to spend and spend to educate our citizens and we are not going to shy away from this fact”
“I can assure you that you are in the right place and the Senate is not only going to bring ASUU and FG to negotiate, we are also going to participate in the negotiation until the whole issue is resolved,” Lawan said.
He called on ASUU to call off the ongoing strike and have confidence in the Senate’s ability to resolve the disagreement amicably stressing that the lingering strike is having negative impacts on the future of Nigerian students and that of the development of the country in general.
NANS President, Asefon Sunday Adedayo expressed disappointment with the federal government for neglecting the education of Nigerian students and putting more priority on political activities to the detriment of students who are described as future leaders.
