The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba has urged students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria to exercise more patience as the government is doing everything within her capacity to reopen schools.
He stated this during Monday’s briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
According to Channels TV, Nwajiuba commended the students for their patience since schools were shut down in the country and gave an assurance that the Federal Ministry of Education is working with stakeholders towards the safe reopening of the schools as soon as possible.
“I urge our students who have actually exercised a lot of patience along with their parents … I urge you to bear with us a little bit more. The rioting needs to stop; there is nothing to riot about.”
Nwajuba urged students to be optimistic noting that the federal government is liaising with tertiary institutions in Nigeria and from their response, there is a green light that schools would be reopened soon.
He further explained the Federal Government is also in negotiation with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in a bid to put an end to the industrial action embarked by the Union.
Tertiary institutions across Nigeria were closed on March 23 in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, students had August 19 staged a protest over the continued closure of schools due to the coronavirus pandemic.