President Bola Tinubu assured Nigerians on Tuesday that “the era of universities over issues that can be resolved through constructive engagement was over.”
Speaking at the grand finale of the 39th convocation of the University of Ilorin, Tinubu emphasized the need for dialogue in addressing conflicts within the academic sector.
Represented by Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Education, Tinubu stressed his administration’s commitment to maintaining uninterrupted academic sessions.
He appealed to university staff, urging them to “give peace a chance,” adding that “the universities, just like the entire nation, need peace to ensure prosperity.”
Tinubu remarked on the past closures of universities, asserting that “gone were the days when universities would be closed down over issues that could be resolved through constructive engagements. No one gains anything from the closure of institutions of learning. We have grown beyond that, and we should not return to that path.”
The President also addressed the longstanding agitations regarding the non-implementation of the 2009 agreements between the federal government and university associations.
He announced the establishment of a 2009 Re-negotiation Committee, led by Dr. Yayale Ahmed, to address these concerns.
Additionally, he highlighted that “four months of the previously withheld salaries of academic staff of universities” had been paid and directed the payment of withheld salaries for non-teaching staff as well.
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In a significant policy change, Tinubu stated that the payment of salaries of university staff members would be “removed from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) forthwith,” in response to the consistent pleas of university trade unions. He assured that “this removal is to be effected without further delay.”
Tinubu emphasized that the current administration has created a conducive atmosphere for both staff and students, mentioning the introduction of student loans and granting institutions leave to recruit more staff.
In his address, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, praised the institution’s contributions to national development and encouraged graduates to engage in lifelong learning.
He announced that “12,042 graduates received Certificates and Diploma,” including 256 First Class honors, 3,842 Second Class (Upper Division), 6,178 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,299 Third Class, and 62 Pass degrees.
