NANS commends Tinubu for N50bn ASUU, varsity staff fund

Credit: NAN

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the release of N50 billion to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other non-academic staff of federal universities.

NANS National Vice President for Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse, in a statement  in Abuja on Thursday, lauded Tinubu for fulfilling his promise, thereby, resolving the longstanding dispute between ASUU and the Federal Government.

It will be recalled that ASUU had been at loggerheads with the Federal Government over the non-payment of allowances as stipulated in the Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed by both parties.

Tinubu had previously pledged that his administration would address the matter to reduce the frequency of strike actions by ASUU in the nation’s universities.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, announced that the Federal Government had approved N50 billion to offset the backlog of earned allowances in federal universities.

Akinbodunse described the president’s gesture as “noble and unprecedented”, noting that the development would promote stability within the university system.

She further remarked that the approval of the outstanding earned allowances marked a major milestone for the Tinubu administration, emphasising that the president had further endeared himself to Nigerian students.

According to her, strike actions by ASUU members have reduced significantly since the current administration assumed office in 2023.

She stated that NANS would continue to rally support for the Tinubu-led government, particularly in its efforts to revitalise tertiary education across the country.

Akinbodunse, however, urged the president not to rest on his laurels but to continue to introduce policies that would foster the development of education, especially at the tertiary level.