The Speaker of the 5th Nigerian Youth Parliament, Rt Hon. (Dr) Azeezat Yishawu has appealed to the Federal Government to address the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a means to ending the ongoing strike.

Yishawu, in a recent statement, stated that the incessant strike actions by the lecturers have left the fate of thousands of public universities’ students hanging in the balance, and also pose as a serious threat to the education sector.

“There is no gainsaying that the greatest victims of ASUU strikes are the students whose future is put on hold in the process. In a country where there are relatively scarce employment opportunities, spending seven or eight years for a 4-year programme will further jeopardise the chances of young people to secure jobs,” she said.

The Speaker noted that as a matter of national urgency, the Federal Government as well as the concerned Ministries and ASUU should resolve their differences and find a lasting solution to the worrisome trend of industrial actions in the education sector.

“Education remains our best shot at providing financial freedom for young people and securing a better Nigeria for all. More than ever, the government must prioritise the sector through investments in infrastructure, research and STEM education,” Yishawu said.