The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has pledged to address the persistent issue of strikes in Nigerian universities.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Abubakar Fulata, conveyed this commitment during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission and Vice-Chancellors of federal universities in AbujAa on Tuesday.
Fulata stated, “This kind of meeting is necessary considering the fact that it is a new government, new assembly, new committee, and new committee’s leadership.”
He highlighted the House leadership’s decision to create six committees, demonstrating a focus on quality oversight.
Addressing the challenges faced by university education, Fulata expressed concern about issues such as strike actions, cultism, insecurity, drug peddling, and immoral acts.
He stressed the need for collective efforts to address these challenges, calling for the intervention of the committee and the contributions of well-meaning Nigerians.
In response to the committee’s commitment, the acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Chris Maiyaki, acknowledged the numerous challenges confronting Nigerian universities.
However, he expressed confidence that, with the commitment of the National Assembly, some of these problems would be effectively addressed.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola highlighted the potential of Nigerian universities to emerge as the best in Africa.