On Monday, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), bemoaned the failure of the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities to call off its strike, stating that students remaining at home is more than enough.
He made the announcement on Monday in Daura, Katsina State, while hosting APC governors, MPs, and other political figures.
He asked ASUU to reconsider its stance on the ongoing strike, expressing worry that the impasse will have long-term consequences for families, the educational system, and the country’s future progress.
The President remarked that the strike had already had a psychological toll on parents, students, and other stakeholders, generating many moral concerns that needed to be addressed.
He emphasised that the quality of educational institutions and education is critical to the country’s future, while emphasising that the government understands their position and that dialogue with students in lecture halls should continue.
“We expect that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the ongoing strike,” he said in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu. Enough is enough for students to stay at home. For God’s sake, don’t harm the future generation.”
Buhari has encouraged all well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in the problem and convince the teachers to return to work.
According to the President, students from Nigerian colleges would struggle to compete with peers in a digitally linked and technology-driven industry, and keeping them at home would merely deprive them of time, talent, and chances to be relevant on the world stage.
“Colonial style schooling was focused toward producing workers in government,” he explained. Those positions are no longer available. Our youth should receive education to equip them for self-employment. Education is no longer for the sake of education.
“We are much more efficient thanks to technology.” We should urge our children to receive an education rather than only looking for government jobs.”
“By this time next year, I will have made the most of the two terms, and I will do my best in the remaining months.”
“If you are greedy, you will not look around to observe what is going on with people who are less fortunate,” he added.
The President also informed the governors and political leaders that owing to his presidential commitments, he had not visited his home in Daura in a long time.
“At the Eid prayer ground, the Emir of Daura, Dr. Faruk Faruk, observed that I had abandoned my camp. He seized the microphone and said that the last time I was in Daura was during Eid-el-Kabir 2021.”
“I’ll be here in 10 to 11 months. I have a nicer house in Kaduna, but it’s too near to Abuja,” he stated
The President also mentioned his rigorous work schedule, stating he recently sympathised with Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyema, who had to spend most of his time away from his family.
He urged APC leaders to continue working for the sake of the people and the country, stating, “We are a lucky people, and we need to reflect more on where we came from.”
“I wish the person who comes after me all the best.”