PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari announced on Saturday that his administration has included a total of N470 billion in the 2023 budget to address the ongoing strikes in Nigerian higher education institutions.
He did, however, promise to leave the next generation of leaders with a Nigeria free of insecurity.
The president made the revelation while speaking at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU46th )’s convocation ceremony in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Buhari, who was represented by the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) Director of Academic Planning, Dr Abiodun Saliu, stated that the administration has prioritized education and security.
“Permit me to use this occasion to highlight some of this administration’s achievements in the field of education, particularly tertiary education,” he said. I am willing to bet that my administration has invested more money in education than any previous administration in this country.
“The flagstaff of this administration remains the enhancement of higher educational institutions, as we are supportive of efforts to promote training, research and community services in our Universities.
“We believe strongly that universities should be problem solvers and should impact heavily on the socio-economic life of the nation, we have placed more premium on education and security and we have no intention of lowering our guards until these two important sectors are fully reinvigorated.
He then expressed concern for Nigerian workers as a result of the bad economy, which he claims is hurting everyone. He assured that the government would make additional efforts to improve on what it had made available in the near future
While confirming that his administration remains firmly committed to the security of lives, property, and investment throughout the country, he pledged that they will continue to confront all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism, and insurgency in the land and promised to hand over a Nigeria free of insecurity to the next generation of leaders.
He praised the institution’s management for the approach they took to deal with lecturers who engaged in sexual harassment and charged other sister institutions.
“This university deserves commendation on the way and manner it is tackling sexual and other related harassments headlong, without minding whose ox is gored. I want other institutions of higher learning to emulate OAU in summarily terminating the appointment or dismissing any lecturer who uses or is using his advantageous position to sexually harass our young, unassuming, innocent and impressionable girls. We cannot continue to entrust the lives of our promising young girls into the hands of some sexually reckless individuals who are masquerading as lecturers on our campuses,” he said.
