ASUU Strike: Atiku Skips Graduation In Solidarity With Nigerian Students

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant and former Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has skipped his Master's Degree graduation Ceremony in solidarity with Nigerian students who have remained at home for months due to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Atiku's Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in a statement concerning the graduation ceremony of the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge, United Kingdom, said the institution's board conferred the award of Master of Arts in International Relations on November 12, 2022.

Ibe in the statement noted that Atiku was not present at the ceremony but had received his certificate earlier.

The statement added that the Vice-Presidential candidate was absent from the graduation in honour of Nigerian tertiary institution students who have been at home for over four months old due to the industrial strike by ASUU.

“In all honesty, I could not mount the podium with other graduands to collect my certificate today.

"I had worked hard to complete my studies and was excitedly looking forward to donning the graduation robe and collecting my certificate.

"However, I am compelled to skip the event in solidarity with our students who through no fault of theirs are being degraded at home," the statement read in part.

Atiku also said that investment in education pays the best dividend, adding that it is a game-changer. 

“Education remains a priority to me. That explains why I invested in it and was prepared against all odds to walk this journey that has earned me a higher degree today," he added.