Chris Ngige gives new update on ASUU strike, says Nigeria broke
Minister for Labor and Employment, Chris Ngige, provided the latest update on the ongoing strike in the university system, insisting that negotiations were underway between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Ministry of Education.
Ngige, however, warned that negotiating with the ASUU without doing so simultaneously with the other university unions only delayed the strike because it would not resolve the issues quickly.
He also said that Nigeria is broke and may not be able to finance its investment projects by 2023 if it fails to cut government costs and remove fuel subsidies, among other actions.
Ngige said so during a press briefing to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labor 2022 in Abuja on Thursday.
He said, "I can tell you that Nigeria is broke. There is no money to fund capital projects next year. As you can see the dollar that was hovering around of N500 and N600 is now above N700. The truth is that there is no money anywhere. The money that the FAAC (Federation Account Allocation Committee) has shared comes from taxes, customs and other revenue generating agencies.
“The National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is no longer handing over money to the FAAC. Thus, the situation calls for patriotism among all Nigerians. on the ability to create jobs. If jobs are not created, poverty will increase in the country."
He added: "I have been Minister of Labor and Employment for seven years. Before, we negotiated alone with ASUU, which then suspended its strike. But NASU, SSANU and NAAT were on strike. non-teaching unions closed classrooms and lecture halls, and cut off electricity and water supplies to universities, which nearly caused epidemics on those campuses.
“So what I am saying is that negotiating with ASUU will not lead to the reopening of universities. Everyone must be involved in the negotiations.”
Minister for Labor and Employment, Chris Ngige, provided the latest update on the ongoing strike in the university system, insisting that negotiations were underway between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Ministry of Education.
Ngige, however, warned that negotiating with the ASUU without doing so simultaneously with the other university unions only delayed the strike because it would not resolve the issues quickly.
He also said that Nigeria is broke and may not be able to finance its investment projects by 2023 if it fails to cut government costs and remove fuel subsidies, among other actions.
Ngige said so during a press briefing to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labor 2022 in Abuja on Thursday.
He said, "I can tell you that Nigeria is broke. There is no money to fund capital projects next year. As you can see the dollar that was hovering around of N500 and N600 is now above N700. The truth is that there is no money anywhere. The money that the FAAC (Federation Account Allocation Committee) has shared comes from taxes, customs and other revenue generating agencies.
“The National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is no longer handing over money to the FAAC. Thus, the situation calls for patriotism among all Nigerians. on the ability to create jobs. If jobs are not created, poverty will increase in the country."
He added: "I have been Minister of Labor and Employment for seven years. Before, we negotiated alone with ASUU, which then suspended its strike. But NASU, SSANU and NAAT were on strike. non-teaching unions closed classrooms and lecture halls, and cut off electricity and water supplies to universities, which nearly caused epidemics on those campuses.
“So what I am saying is that negotiating with ASUU will not lead to the reopening of universities. Everyone must be involved in the negotiations.”
What's Your Reaction?
