South Daily
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The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has said that the Federal Government bears no liability to compensate millions of students affected by the ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The Education minister said this at the 47th Session of the State House Ministerial Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Adamu suggested that the affected students should “take ASUU to court” to claim damages incurred over the strike period.
He also said the government will not concede to the union’s demand to pay lecturers their emoluments for the six months of no academic activities.
ASUU embarked on a four-week warning strike on February 14.
On March 14, the union extended the industrial action by another two months to allow the government meet all of its demands. A 12-week extension was announced on May 9.
Since May 9, the union has remained on strike, vowing to persist until its demands are met.
The academics are seeking improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities and academic autonomy among other demands.
One bone of contention for the academics is the non-payment of university revitalisation funds, which amounts to about N1.1 trillion.
But the Federal Government has said it doesn’t have the money to pay such an amount, citing low oil prices during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The agreement was struck in 2009.
