Dr Mark Nyitse, a senior lecturer at the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to engage directly with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) leadership to find a lasting solution to the union’s long-standing grievances.
Nyitse, who lectures in the Faculty of Education, made the call during an interview on Friday in Makurdi.
He commended the President for showing determination in addressing national challenges through bold reforms and decisive leadership.
The lecturer described Tinubu as a courageous reformer who had taken on long-standing issues such as the removal of fuel subsidy, and called on him to apply the same decisiveness to the education sector.
“He should tackle the issue once and for all rather than depending solely on committees. A bold move will earn him lasting recognition in history,” he said.
According to him, meaningful national development is impossible without a strong educational foundation.
He also cited historical examples of successful government interventions, urging Tinubu to draw lessons from past leaders like Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), who decisively addressed the challenges faced by nurses.
“Since the 2009 agreement often referred to in ASUU discussions, little progress has been made beyond temporary measures,” he noted.
Nyitse, who is also a research fellow, described ASUU as a tolerant and committed union made up of intellectuals, including some serving in government positions.
He noted that while the government might not be entirely insincere, structural challenges continue to hinder genuine progress.
The academic further explained that lecturers make significant sacrifices to advance in their careers, from publishing in reputable journals to contributing to community development — often at personal expense.
He lamented that the high cost of academic publishing compared to lecturers’ earnings had become discouraging and called for improved welfare and sustained dialogue with government.
Nyitse emphasized that a sincere and direct engagement between the Presidency and ASUU would not only end the recurring crises but also restore hope and stability to Nigeria’s university system.