Atiku vows to end ASUU strike first day in office, gives priority to education

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abubakar, has promised to address the lingering crisis engulfing the education section by tripling the budget for education sector if elected president.

Atiku was speaking during the Silverbird Man of the Year event on Sunday, where he vowed to end the incessant strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from his first day as president.

According to Atiku, he is distressed that students have been at home for more than 90 days due to the industrial action.

“I am aghast that as I speak, our students across the nation are not being educated due to the ASUU strike caused by an unresolved debate of about N60billion,” he said during the event which held in Lagos.

“If I get the job I am seeking, my first task on day one – along with naming my cabinet – will be to end this disgraceful strike and get our students back to their studies.

“I will also triple the amount the Nigerian Government spends on education from 7 percent of its budget today, not just to the 15 per cent recommended by UNESCO, but to 20 per cent.

“I recognize the value education can bring to the individual and the nation. But even more than that, I want every child in Nigeria to have the opportunities I had.”