End to ASUU strikes answer to my prayers, Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has described the current absence of strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a significant answer to his prayers, signaling a period of stability and improving living standards in Nigeria. Speaking in Abuja while receiving the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Tinubu acknowledged the economic difficulties citizens have faced but asserted that prosperity is now on the horizon.

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ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to your homes. Is that not an answer to our prayers? To me, that’s an answer.

"ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to your homes. Is that not an answer to our prayers? To me, that’s an answer," the President remarked. He highlighted this as a concrete improvement, noting that university students can now complete their four-year courses within the stipulated time. This contrasts sharply with ASUU's history of prolonged industrial actions, which cumulatively led to over five years of lost academic time between 1999 and 2022, including a record nine-month strike in 2022.

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I inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor, and I’ve been running with it. But this government has stabilised and there is prosperity on the horizon. The quality of life is improving.

Tinubu's administration, which began in May 2023, has coincided with the launch of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund. While acknowledging ongoing security challenges, the President expressed optimism about Nigeria's future, referencing the national anthem's call for unity and resilience. The Catholic Bishops' Conference, a prominent religious body, engages significantly in education, healthcare, and social services nationwide.

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The security situation is what it is. We don’t have another country but here. This Nigeria. And we revert to our national anthem, in its complexity, diversity, we shall thrive, rejoice and be good to all of us.