Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, said on Friday that borrowing money to end the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ months-long strike was unrealistic.
He made the remark during an appearance on one the television channels.
“Should we borrow to pay N1.2 trillion a year?”
“You cannot allow one sector of the economy to hold you hostage and then blackmail you into borrowing N1.2 trillion for overheads when our total income would be around N6.1 trillion.” And you have to build roads, health centers, and other sectors.”
The Minister urged parents throughout the country to petition ASUU.
“Those who know them, like the President said the other time, appeal to their sense of patriotism,” he said.
“Let them go back to school.” They are not alone in Nigeria. They are not the only ones who benefit from federal funds. The nation cannot come to a halt because we want to meet ASUU’s demands.”
ASUU’s Demands
On February 14, ASUU began a four-week warning strike.
On March 14, the union extended the strike for another two months in order to allow the government to meet all of its demands. On May 9, a 12-week extension was announced.
The union has been on strike since May 9, vowing to continue until its demands are met.
Academics want better working conditions, the revitalization of public universities, and academic autonomy, among other things.
One point of contention for academics is the non-payment of N1.1 trillion in university revitalisation funds.
However, the Federal Government has stated that it does not have the funds to pay such a sum, citing low oil prices during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
According to reports, the agreement was reached in 2009.
Another issue is the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The University Transparency and Accountability Solution was proposed by academics as an alternative payroll system (UTAS).