The vice-chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, says the management is confident that the ongoing strike by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will soon be suspended.
Mr Sulaiman stated this on Tuesday while the university team condoled with Governor Umar Bago over the death of 37 artisanal miners in Minna.
Bologi Ibrahim, the governor’s spokesman, disclosed this in a statement.
Mr Sulaiman noted that the state government has shown strong commitment to ending the strike and has so far paid N300 million of the outstanding N800 million.
“We are working hand in glove with them at the moment; the local chairman has travelled to meet with the national executives, and there is a possibility of the strike being suspended.
“I’m sure in a very short while the ASUU will call off the strike,” he said.
Mr Sulaiman described the death of 37 miners as unfortunate, adding that the young lads were supposed to be in the university but unfortunately they were miners.
“So we need to take back our students so that they don’t get influenced in the mining process.
“It is a trying moment for the state and the nation as a whole, and everyone will have to move a bit so that the issue can be resolved,” he said.
Mr Bago appealed to the IBBU union to end its ongoing strike, adding that his administration is committed to developing education in the state and assured that all outstanding ASUU dues will be cleared by November.
“There is a need for ASUU to call off the strike so that students will not be distracted.
“I call on ASUU to be compassionate and show empathy by calling off this strike action. We need to collaborate to avoid distractions that can come when you keep students out of school for a long time,” the governor said.