The Federal Government has issued an appeal to students, urging them to refrain from actions that could disrupt the academic session as universities resume.
Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, made this plea during a meeting with the Congress of University Academics.
In a statement released by Ben Goong, the Director of Press and Public Relations, the Minister emphasized that demonstrating restraint was in the best interest of all stakeholders and crucial for maintaining system stability.
The Ministry of Education is actively engaged in constructive dialogues and consultations with various stakeholders to address issues related to student welfare, staff well-being, and infrastructure development within tertiary institutions.
The Minister acknowledged that prolonged strikes and the underutilization of educational facilities could lead to rapid infrastructural deterioration.
He assured that President Bola Tinubu was committed to taking every possible step to prevent situations that might result in strikes.
The President of CONUA, Niyi Sunmonu, expressed concern about the potential for student unrest due to recent increases in school fees.
He pointed out that this could disrupt academic activities and the academic calendar. Sunmonu also highlighted the need to revisit the issue of eight-month salary arrears resulting from the previous strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, emphasizing that CONUA members did not participate in the strike.
The statement added: “It must be noted, however, that all academic activities in universities were grounded throughout the period of the strike.”