Public Universities all over Nigeria has been approved by president Muhammadu Buhari to get N20 billion in respect to the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. This was disclosed by the new Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed on Monday while she was speaking with newsmen.

It will be recalled that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, published a memo some few weeks ago informing the general public of their plight as the government is yet to meet their demands after their official agreement.

The spokesperson for ASUU warned in the memo that ASUU is prepared to go on a warning strike to make the general public aware of their plight after which the union is prepared to go on an indefinite strike if the government fails to consider their demands and honour their previous agreement.

The news of the 20 billion Naira funds which has been approved by President Buhari and will be disbursed accordingly among the public universities seems to be the reply of the federal government to the looming strike.

The Minister of Finance also explained that the funds will be released through the normal channels and that the purpose of the funds is to revitalize public universities all over Nigeria.

Below is an extract of her statement to newsmen.

“The N20 billion for the universities would be released immediately in line with the established criteria used by the National Universities Commission.
“The federal government would monitor the progress of the implementation of the universities’ revitalization with a view to resolving emerging issues and keeping its promises to relevant stakeholders.”

While ASUU is yet to comment on the new development, the next question is will these funds be enough to make a serious impact in all the public Universities all over Nigeria? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.