ASUU strike: 2023 APC Presidential Aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu promises a 25% budget allocation for education.
The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has rolled out his Nigeria Economic Agenda which could address the persistent strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, as he has promised to allot 25% of budget to education.
According to a report aired on Arise TV News Morning Show, the former Lagos State Governor has also included six new regional economic development agencies in his nation's economic agenda, which could address security challenges and boost autonomy.
Furthermore, Tinubu intends to increase GDP growth to 12% in four years, achieve 15,000 megawatts, eliminate fuel subsidies, and draft a new national infrastructure plan.
If Tinubu is elected President in 2023 and follows through on this economic blueprint, he will exceed the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Member States' agreement on a level of educational funding of 4 to 6 percent of GDP or 15 to 20 percent of public expenditure.
Nigerian lecturers working in federal and state government universities have been on strike since February 14 because the federal government has yet to meet their demands.
The striking lecturers’ demands include, funding for the revitalization of public universities, Earned Academic Allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) and promotion arrears.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osedeke, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja on 11th May 2022 criticized the federal government for the strike.
Let me give you an example because this is where we are getting it wrong, when the airline operators said they were going to stop the flights, the Senate and House of Representatives quickly stepped in.
“This is because they are affected; they quickly rushed in and addressed the problem, why would they not resolve that of the education sector that is affecting the children of the poor and the ordinary people
“If the government is willing to resolve the issues affecting the Nigerians, then there would be no need to go on strike.
"We need to build a Nigeria where sufficient jobs for the urban population are available and lead to a good life that most wholly benefits the nation," Tinubu said in his speech in Abuja on Tuesday night.
Furthermore, following his election as the APC's flag bearer on Wednesday, he stated, "Yes, we face serious problems." But I believe we have what it takes to achieve our highest potential. We will make this country better for future generations with God's help.
“President Muhammad Buhari has already laid a solid foundation in security, economy, and anti-corruption. We will build upon this for the salvation of our people.
“So, I ask you: Do we dare reform our national economy such that prosperity grows as poverty vanishes? Yes, we dare. Do we dare provide meaningful education and jobs for our youths so that they may strive for a better future?”
