FG RESPONDS TO ASUU’S THREAT OF NATIONWIDE STRIKE

The federal government has responded to ASUU’s nationwide strike threat by assuring efforts to address their concerns regarding the reconstitution of governing councils for public universities.

Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Chris Maiyaki, disclosed that the government is actively working on this matter, with the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, overseeing a panel tasked with the list compilation.

Once finalized, the councils will be promptly inaugurated.

Maiyaki emphasized the magnitude of the task, highlighting the government’s commitment to appointing qualified individuals capable of advancing the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

While acknowledging ASUU’s dedication to their members’ welfare and university activities, he urged patience during this process.

Regarding the nation’s university landscape, Maiyaki stressed the necessity for expansion to accommodate the increasing demand for higher education.

With nearly two million yearly applications and limited admissions, the current 272 universities are insufficient. He advocated for establishing more universities to ensure quality education accessibility.

Discussing NUC’s strategic priorities, Maiyaki outlined initiatives including curriculum development, quality assurance, research, infrastructure enhancement, and internationalization.

Notably, the commission revamped curricula to align with Nigeria’s pursuit of a knowledge economy driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and 21st-century skills. This overhaul, effective from the 2023/2024 academic session, emphasizes student-centric learning and instructional material development.

Additionally, NUC introduced guidelines to integrate e-learning into conventional teaching methods, ensuring quality in open and distance education. These measures aim to align Nigerian universities with global standards while enhancing educational delivery and accessibility