President Muhammadu Buhari says the federal government remains committed to honouring promises made to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

This the president said was to prevent disruptive strikes, engender uninterrupted academic programmes and improve funding of education institutions.

Mr Buhari made the pledge when he received members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) led by the Co-Chairs, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Samson Ayokunle, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, in Abuja on Tuesday.

He commended the leadership of NIREC for intervening in the year-long strike, and pleaded with ASUU to “be cognisant of the fiscal pressures that we are currently facing” as a country, adding that “Nevertheless, we remain committed to honoring our promises.”

The president urged ASUU to “continue to work with us toward finding resolutions to the challenges that confront us,” stating that his administration would engage in dialogue with ASUU “toward a joint resolution in the best interest of our children and nation.”

On finding sustainable solutions to the perennial strikes affecting the nation’s university system, Mr Buhari said he has directed his Chief of Staff, the Ministers of Labour and Employment and Education, to make resolving the issue a priority.

Speaking on behalf of NIREC, CAN president said the meeting with Mr Buhari was on the single point of averting strikes in the universities and the challenges of ASUU, stating that they were considered to be of national interest.

(NAN)