FG-ASUU Impasse: VC Pleads With Sultan To Intervene

  The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Thursday pleaded with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and other well meaning Nigerians to wade into the current impasse between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Mustapha made the plea yesterday, during a chat with journalists shortly after paying homage to the Sultan in Sokoto.

He noted with dismay that..........

the prolonged strike and its recurrence in the nation’s universities had been negatively impacting on the education sector.

According to him, with this ugly development, the quality of education would continue to go down as a result of the disruption of the academic activities.

"We are pleading with the Sultan to use his position and speak to the two parties to broker a lasting solution to the recurring ASUU strikes in Nigeria,"he said.
He lamented the impact of brain-drain on the nation’s education sector but acknowledged that it was a universal phenomenon.

Mustapha noted that the problem was also affecting all the countries of the world, including the United States of America, United Kingdom and other European nations.

The vice-chancellor canvassed for more investments in the nation’s education sector, adding, "education demands a lot investments and for us to get the best, we need to invest more in education."

He stressed that the nation’s universities required improved funding, better structures and facilities for teaching and learning.

Mustapha pointed out that the universities were in dire need of better laboratories, libraries, hostels, welfare for students and members of staff, as well as funds for sustained researches.

“I believe that there should be more funding not only from the government but the corporate organisations and philanthropists should complement their efforts in improving education in the country," Mustapha stated.