Scholars under the aegis of ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) Group on Thursday, December 21, lauded the Commander-in-Chief over his simple reformist policies in the education sector.
They noted that the steps can tackle intractable challenges, particularly in the higher education sub-sector, in the last few months.
In their letter to the President by the group signed by its Convener, Prof. Yemi Oke of the University of Lagos, and its Education and Training Committee Chairman, Prof. Olusegun Awonusi, thry hailed the resuscitation of the ‘Education Loan’ for students.
According to the group,
“The establishment of the Education Loan Bank or Board for needy and poor students will create access for them to get the much-needed fund to finance their tertiary education.”
It added,
“It will assist the public universities and other higher institutions to charge fees commensurate with quality education and also help the institutions’ financial base to discharge their responsibilities.”
The group also praised President Tinubu over the removal of higher institutions from IPPIS, recalling that it negatively impacted the performance and growth of universities.
It stressed,
“With the abrogation of the policy, staff that go on sabbaticals can find avenues for collaborative research and lectureship in sister universities. Universities too can promptly attend to the needs of staff and students which need urgent attention, without sacrificing transparency. This will have a salutary effect on the evolving university autonomy plans.”
On the decision to pay Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members part of the outstanding salary arrears during the prolonged strike, the group said the move will motivate the lecturers to double their efforts in teaching and research, and bring succor to their families.
The scholars urged the Federal Government to direct the universities to pay the four-month outstanding salaries to the lecturerd.
The group added,
“We wish to appeal that although the four months arrears of the withheld salaries have not been paid despite having been approved for payment by Mr. President, it may be politically expedient to direct the Governing Council of the respective public universities to pay them now that they are off the controversial IPPIS.
“It will be a gift laden with massive goodwill for us your diehard academics.
“We assure Your Excellency of our continuous support and relentless efforts as a hub of conscientious, patriotic Nigerian intellectuals and professionals volunteering time, skills, and intellects toward actualizing your 8-point Renewed Hope Agenda and a Nigeria of endless possibilities under your leadership.”
