The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) stated on Friday that only the intervention of President Bola Tinubu could prevent public universities from facing another prolonged strike.
The union urged prominent Nigerians to persuade President Tinubu to address the dire state of public universities and
the legitimate demands of lecturers, particularly regarding university funding and other welfare issues.
ASUU emphasized that the government’s failure to fulfill its financial
responsibilities and commitments to public universities is perilous and could lead to their further deterioration.
This appeal was made by ASUU Chairman of the Lagos Zone, Prof.
Adelaja Odukoya, during a press briefing at the ASUU Secretariat of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.
Those present at the briefing included ASUU leaders from Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Lagos State University, University of Lagos, and Olabisi Onabanjo University, among others.
Prof. Odukoya expressed regret and frustration that the current administration has not committed to adequately funding universities, instead maintaining the minimal support that has contributed to the universities’ dire state.
He highlighted that the issues potentially leading to another prolonged strike are the Federal Government’s deliberate
refusal to sign and implement the re-negotiated FGN/ASUU Agreement, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances, and promotion arrears.
Other issues include the non-release of third-party deductions, the government’s failure to implement the recommendations of the White Papers
on Visitation Panels to Federal Universities, and the refusal to address the continual and counterproductive proliferation of universities.
ASUU strongly condemned the creation of more universities by the federal and state governments when they have failed
to fund existing institutions. This, the union argues, only leads to duplication of duties and increased overhead costs.
Instead of establishing new universities, ASUU suggested that the government should expand the capacities of existing
universities, allowing them to increase their student populations and academic programs.
The union stated, “Regrettably, Visitors of Federal and State universities have
turned the establishment of universities into constituency projects. This development is obviously harmful, retrogressive,
and unacceptable. Our union calls for the review and strengthening of NUC laws to curb these negative trends.”
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