The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, has assured the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, that he will end the lingering strike from his first day at work, if elected the next president of the country.

Atiku made this disclosure in Lagos, Sunday evening, at the Silverbird Man of the Year event.

The former Vice President, lamenting about the ASUU strike, described it as disgraceful.

He stressed that the ASUU, students and lecturers would receive his first attention as president if voted into office in the February 16 presidential election.

He said “I am aghast that as I speak, our students across the nation are not being educated due to the ASUU strike caused by an unresolved debate of about N60 billion.

“If I get the job I am seeking, my first task on day one – along with naming my cabinet – will be to end this disgraceful strike and get our students back to their studies.

“I will also triple the amount the Nigerian government spends on education from 7 per cent of its budget today, not just to the 15 per cent recommended by UNESCO, but to 20 per cent.

“I recognise the value education can bring to the individual and the nation. But even more than that, I want every child in Nigeria to have the opportunities I had.”