With the ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) not yielding any positive response from stakeholders, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) has threatened to shut down the airports in solidarity with the union.
The development comes as the National Labour Congress (NLC) directed its members to embark on a nationwide protest on July 26 and 27 in solidarity with the strike by the ASUU.
Read Also: ASUU Strike: NLC Declares Nation Wide Protest
In a statement issued by Abdulrasaq Saidu, the ANAP General Secretary, on Monday, July 18, the association called on President Muhammadu Buhari to end the strike without further delay.
ANAP said the protracted strike has added to social vices in the country as students now engage in unpalatable activities capable of destroying their future.
It said the over four-month strike had ridiculed Nigeria’s educational system and made it a laughing stock.
Read Also: Suspend Strike – Buhari Implores ASUU As Students Face Weeks Of Despair
The union said that;
ASUU, NASU, SAUTHRIAI, NAAT had been on strike for more than four months due to the apparent failure of government to sign the re-negotiated 2009 Agreement with ASUU, failure to honour the terms reached at in May 2022 MoU signed with ASUU, and habitual failure of government to respect Collective Bargaining Agreements willingly signed with labour Unions.
On Students’ Suffering
It said not only the students were suffering but parents and the society, adding that the poor economy has also affected every home in the country.
The association said education remained the bedrock of any country aspiring for greatness, noting that the ASUU strike will eventually lead to a regrettable situation in future if not well-handled.
It further stressed;
Our children are using eight years to read courses of four years with resources being wasted. We cannot continue this way.
The union said its members would align with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) position in protesting against the unfortunate situation in the tertiary education sector.
In a related development, the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) said it would join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in its solidarity strike over the lingering ASUU strike.
