The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to end the ongoing strike by university lecturers in the country as his first task if elected president on February 16.
Mr Abubakar said this on Sunday evening at the Silverbird Man of the Year event in Lagos.
University lecturers have been on industrial action for about four months.
“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.
“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 per cent of its budget today, not just to the 15 per cent recommended by UNESCO, but to 20 per cent.
“I recognise 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,” he said.
The former vice president also said the three basic lessons essential for any individual or nation aiming at greatness are – investment in women, investment in education, and investment in opportunities that will create jobs.
