The Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has promised that when elected, he would tackle the challenges of funds and other factors resulting to industrial actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other unions.

Mr Adebayo said the issue of funding for universities was not a problem but having a committed leader who would not turn education into a looting centre.

“When I am elected president, I will ensure that government is removed from the Board of Trustee of the Education Trust Fund (TETFUND),” he said when he received a delegation of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) who paid him courtesy visit in Abuja.

He promised to ensure that credible Nigerians were selected to serve on the board of trustees outside government control.

“I will not put a single politician on government council of any university,” he said.

Mr Adebayo reiterated that Nigeria needed to improve on its education standards.

Also, he advised Nigerian students to consider the masses, especially the youths, when making decisions regarding candidates contesting 2023 general elections.

Mr Adebayo said that when elected as president of Nigeria in 2023, he would be on the side of the masses and be committed to addressing challenges facing the country.

He advised the association not to only speak for students, but to play the role of representatives of the masses.

NANS, director of Policy, Research and Partnerships, said the visit was part of the association’s decision to engage with all serious political party flagbearers ahead of the 2023 general elections on their plans for the country’s youth.

(NAN)