The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria on Tuesday urged the Federal Government, universities and polytechnics unions to adopt dialogue to avoid prolonged closure of higher institutions.

The APBN President, Mr Bala Ka’Oje, made this appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

He said that the association, an umbrella body of professional bodies in Nigeria, was not happy with persistent closure of higher institutions.

According to him, the prolonged closure of higher institutions will impact negatively on human capital development in the country.

“It is important for the government, the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics leadership to show understanding and interact constantly.

“Their continuous interaction will help prevent strikes and closure of universities and polytechnics for months.

“The idea of students staying at home when they should be attending lectures will add to the already complicated social problems,” he said.

Ka’Oje also said that government should lived up to expectations after negotiations with the universities and polytechnics Unions.

He urged government and the unions to maintain open communication channel on ways to move the education sector forward.

The APBN president said that professionals were having problems employing graduates without additional in-house training and the attendant costs.

NAN recalls that ASUU called off its six-month strike on Dec. 16, while ASUP has yet to end its four-month strike.