ASUU ultimatum: Reps summons finance, education Ministers

Following the 3 weeks ultimatum giving to the federal government by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on another strike, the House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu and the Minister of Finance, Budget National Planning, Zainab Ahmed to appear before it.

Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila announced the invitation after the green chamber adopted a motion sponsored by Julius Ihovbare.

Gbajabiamila said funds had to be released to universities to forestall more strikes in the interest of students and the entire country.

In his motion, Hon. Ihovbare asserted that the federal government had not been forthcoming to honour the agreements it signed with the ASUU in December 2020 contained in the memorandum of understanding signed by the two parties.

He said: “The federal government has not been quite forthcoming, neither has it attached any consistent seriousness to the urgent need to reposition and refocus the education sector in line with our developmental objectives.”

Supporting the motion, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (APC, Abia) said the government should live up to its responsibilities and fulfil the agreements it reached with ASUU.

Similarly, the House Chief Whip, Muhammed Tahir Monguno urged the House to take a look at the possibility of increasing the annual budget for education.