The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a scathing critique of the Nigerian government’s handling of tertiary education, warning that the country’s university system is in dire straits due to neglect, poor funding, and policy inconsistencies.
Addressing a press conference at the University of Abuja on May 23, 2025, ASUU President, Dr. Chris Piwuna, called on the federal government to immediately address all outstanding issues in the long-standing 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement and to end what he described as the “continued erosion of university autonomy.”
“The governments of Nigeria, at both the Federal and State levels, merely pay lip-service to the business of education in general and the welfare of university academics in particular,” Dr. Piwuna said. “The tortuous journey of renegotiating the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement has continued endlessly since 2017. Five months after recommendations were submitted in December 2024, we are still waiting for the government to act.”
Key Demands from ASUU
ASUU outlined a list of demands that include:
- Conclusion and signing of the renegotiated 2009 agreement based on the Nimi Briggs report.
- Immediate release of withheld salaries, especially those affected by the 2022 strike and those on sabbatical or adjunct roles.
- Restoration of university autonomy and removal of payment structures such as IPPIS and TSA which, according to the union, violate university laws.
- Funding for revitalization of public universities and payment of Earned Academic Allowances.
The union also decried political interference in the selection of university administrators, citing recent controversies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, University of Abuja, and others. It accused the political class of turning Nigerian universities into “theatres of war.”
State Universities Under Siege
ASUU specifically condemned the persecution of its members in several state universities, including Kogi State University and Lagos State University, calling on state governments to reinstate affected lecturers and resolve lingering issues without delay.
The Bigger Picture: Nigeria’s Deepening Crisis
Beyond the education sector, the union painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current state, describing the country as caught in “a nest of underdevelopment” despite its rich resources. It attributed this to governance failures, corruption, and a lack of priority for education.
“It is through education that citizens are empowered, values are instilled, innovation is birthed, creativity promoted and formidable nations are built,” Dr. Piwuna said. “We call for an urgent education summit where Nigerians can define the kind of education system they want.”
TETFund, NELFUND Controversy
ASUU also expressed concern over what it described as a misapplication of TETFund resources, particularly the diversion of funds to NELFUND. “TETFund should be used strictly for the revitalization of public universities,” the union insisted.
Conclusion
Reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, ASUU warned that it would no longer tolerate neglect and continued trampling of its members’ rights.
“If given the desired attention, Nigeria’s universities should provide the solution ground to solving its multi-faceted problems,” Dr. Piwuna said. “However, ASUU will not continue to look helpless while the rights of its members are being washed away with reckless abandon.”
The union urged all Nigerians to support its mission to save the country’s university system, warning that the continued decay of the education sector spells doom for the nation’s development.
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