Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities to embrace dialogue in resolving its grievances, saying negotiation remains the only sustainable solution to issues affecting the education sector.
The appeal was made at the end of a two-day meeting of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, between October 16 and 17, 2025.
Reading the communiqué after the meeting, the forum Chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, urged the university lecturers to “sheath their swords and return to the dialogue table in the interest of the nation’s education system.”
He described the meeting as a strategic platform for reflection on Nigeria’s socio-economic direction and the reassessment of states’ roles in driving national transformation.
The forum also commended the collaborative framework among federal, state, and local governments, describing it as a model of cooperative federalism and inclusive development.
A highlight of the meeting was the formal reception of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, into the APC. Uzodimma described Mbah’s defection as “historic,” saying it increased the number of APC governors to 24 nationwide.
“Governor Mbah’s decision to join our fold reinforces the party’s national appeal and validates the strength of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the PGF chairman added.
The governors also lauded President Bola Tinubu and the APC leadership for what they described as “a new era of inclusivity, ideological clarity, and national consolidation.”
They expressed satisfaction with ongoing fiscal reforms, food security measures, power sector stabilisation, infrastructure modernisation, and social intervention programmes under the current administration.
Uzodimma said the forum noted steady growth in the economy, declining inflation and interest rates, and improved revenues across all tiers of government.
The governors further commended the President’s initiatives through the National Economic Council, which they said are expanding economic opportunities across Nigeria’s 8,809 electoral wards.
“The Progressive Governors’ Forum commends the foresight of President Tinubu and reaffirms its collective resolve to support all policies and programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Uzodimma stated.
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