ASUU strike: Meeting ends in deadlock as Education Minister walks out on protesting students

The meeting between the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, and protesting Nigerian students was at a standstill, on Monday, as the minister walked out on them.

The leadership of National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) staged a nationwide protest, demanding immediate resolution of the crisis between the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Recall that ASUU had embarked on a one-month warning strike on February 14th, over government’s unfaithfulness in the implementation of the Memorandum of Action it signed.

The Minister of Education had arranged the impromptu meeting to placate the students who had barricaded the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Education.

However, following the emotional presentation of the National President of NANS, Comrade Sunday Asefon,  the Education minister had angrily walked out of the meeting.

Asefon lamented that “ASUU strike is killing education more and more. This strike has been affecting our lives since 1999 and Nigerian students want to be part of the discussion between the federal government and ASUU dialogues to find a lasting solution to the matter.

“We want the federal government and ASUU to as a matter of urgency call off this strike while negotiation continues. We want to go back to classes, if not this will be more than #EndSars protest.”

Asefon, who told Adamu to close down his office for failing to resolve the crisis between ASUU and the government, questioned the minister for abandoning the education sector while those in government send their children to study abroad.

The Minister, who was visibly angry over the outburst, said he was “Disappointed with their comments” and stepped out of the conference room.