ASUU Strike: Buhari Tells Striking Lecturers "Enough is Enough"

On Monday, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd. ), lamented the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities for failing to call off its strike, saying enough is enough of students staying at home.

He announced this on Monday in Daura, Katsina State, when he received APC governors, lawmakers, and other political leaders at his residence.

He urged ASUU to reconsider its stance on the prolonged strike, expressing concern that the stalemate would have generational ramifications for families, the educational system, and the country’s future growth.

The President stated that the strike had already taken a toll on the psychology of parents, students, and other stakeholders, raising many moral issues that needed to be addressed.

He stated that the future of the country is dependent on the quality of educational institutions and education, while stressing that the government understands their stance and that negotiations with students in lecture halls should continue.

“We expect that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the ongoing strike,” he said in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu. Enough is enough for students to stay at home. For God’s sake, don’t harm the future generation.”

Buhari has invited all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those close to the union’s leaders and members, to intervene in the matter and persuade the lecturers to resume their work.

The President stated that students from Nigerian colleges would face difficulty competing with peers in a digitally connected and technology-driven workplace, and that keeping them at home would only deprive them of time, skill, and opportunities to be relevant on the global arena.

“Colonial style schooling was focused toward producing workers in government,” he explained. Those positions are no longer available. Our youth should receive education to equip them for self-employment. Education is no longer for the sake of education.

“We are much more efficient thanks to technology.” We should urge our children to receive an education rather than only looking for government jobs.”

“By this time next year, I will have made the most of the two terms, and I will do my best in the remaining months.”

“If you are greedy, you will not look around to observe what is going on with people who are less fortunate,” he added.

The President also informed the governors and political leaders that he had not visited his house in Daura in a long time due to his duties as President.

“At the Eid prayer ground, the Emir of Daura, Dr. Faruk Faruk, observed that I had abandoned my camp.” He took the microphone and announced that the last time I was in Daura was during Eid-el-Kabir 2021.

“I’ll be here in 10 to 11 months.” I have a nicer house in Kaduna, but it’s too near to Abuja,” he explained.

The President added that his work schedule was hectic, saying he recently sympathised with Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyema, who had to spend most of his time away from his family.

He urged APC leaders to continue working for the sake of the people and the country, stating, “We are a lucky people, and we need to reflect more on where we came from.”

“I wish the person who comes after me all the best.”