Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has apologised for posting photos of himself at Harvard Business School undergoing a leadership course while universities are shut in Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila was criticised for his post on Tuesday which coincided with a nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress calling the government to end the five-month-old lecturers’ strike
The Speaker however admitted on Twitter on Wednesday that his post about studying at Harvard was out of the line.
He tweeted: “Yesterday I posted a picture of myself at the @Harvard @Kennedy_School, undergoing a course. That post was not sensitive to the present feelings of fellow citizens, especially parents and students who are presently bearing the brunt of the ongoing closure of public universities …owing to the unresolved issues between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“I apologize for the post at this time, and I hope you will understand that it was not my intention to cause disaffection. As Speaker, I have made multiple interventions within the powers of the legislature to avert the ongoing strike. I had direct engagements with ASUU and relevant government agencies.”
Gbajabiamila noted that the House is “keenly involved” in resolving the issues so students can return to class.
“We all await the outcome of the 2-week ultimatum given for the conclusion of negotiations with ASUU,” he said.
Gbajabiamila further noted that he has been a “champion of public education in Nigeria” and has “consistently advocated programs, policies and investments to improve the quality of public education in the country.”
He promised to continue to work within the powers of the legislature to provide young people with access to quality education.
