The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government over the worsening crisis in Nigeria’s university system, questioning how the country’s fuel subsidy removal has translated into improved funding for education.
Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, argued that the government’s economic policies had increased pressure on Nigerian households without delivering corresponding improvements in critical sectors.
He made the remarks following renewed concerns by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over unresolved issues, including salaries and outstanding agreements with the Federal Government.
The former vice president said the possibility of another strike exposed what he described as a failure to adequately address the challenges facing public universities.
According to him, Nigerians were promised that resources freed from fuel subsidy removal would help strengthen essential services, including education. He questioned why universities continue to face inadequate infrastructure and other funding challenges years after the subsidy regime was scrapped.
Atiku also criticised the rising cost of living, citing increased food, transportation and energy costs, and argued that many families had been left to bear the consequences of the government’s economic reforms.
He said the government should explain how the resources saved from subsidy removal had been utilised, particularly in improving education and other social services.
The ADC presidential candidate’s comments come amid growing political debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms and renewed concerns over industrial action in Nigeria’s public universities.
