It is a matter of fact that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities have been on strike for over a month. This situation has brought untold hardship on many university students in the country in no small way.
I am personally disturbed by the comments made by some Nigerians regarding members of the union. I feel these comments should be directed at the Federal Government which has often refused to pay adequate attention to education. The demands made by ASUU are aimed at enhancing the quality of education in the various universities.
It should be on record that one of the reasons for the ongoing strike action by ASUU is the failure of government to honour previous agreement made with it.
Government should at this time be responsive and responsible to the needs of the education sector. Even if that is the least of what it can honourably offer Nigerians rather than playing politics with the ongoing strike.
It is disturbing that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said government does not have the resources to meet the demands of ASUU.
By that statement, she painted a pitiable picture that the FG cannot adequately fund education.
With the jumbo pay of members of the National Assembly and huge amount of money spent on salaries and allowances of political office holders and over-bloated aides, it is clear that the government is toying with the future of Nigeria by paying lip service to education.
Government should wake up and yield to the demands of ASUU.
