ASUU alleges plot to undermine Nigeria’s public universities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, on Tuesday, raised concerns over what it described as a deliberate plot to undermine Nigeria’s public universities.

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, voiced these concerns during the 2024 ASUU Heroes Day in Abuja, accusing international bodies of intensifying efforts to destabilise Nigeria’s public education system.

Osodeke expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in renegotiating the 2009 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government, despite several Memoranda of Understanding and Action.

According to him, the ASUU-FGN 2009 Agreement remains unaddressed and unresolved, leaving critical issues unattended.

He further condemned the imposition of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System on public universities, a policy which, he argued, continues despite assurances from the Federal Executive Council to remove the system from tertiary institutions.

The ASUU President also decried the withholding of the union’s three-and-a-half months’ salaries, as well as outstanding arrears, promotions, and the Earned Academic Allowance, which he said remain unfulfilled.

In his address, Osodeke acknowledged the commitment of ASUU members nationwide, honouring their “unwavering sacrifices” in the struggle to protect and promote Nigeria’s public university system.

As part of its efforts to support academic growth, ASUU announced the provision of PhD grants worth N500,000 each to selected members from public universities nationwide. Recipients will be chosen based on a rigorous assessment of their proposals by experts in their respective fields.

“Comrades, this year’s celebration of our heroes takes place amid our ongoing struggle to rescue Nigeria’s public universities…

“It is disheartening that, after twelve years, we are still pushing for the renegotiation of our 2009 Agreement with the federal government, even after multiple rounds of failed discussions,” Osodeke said.

At the state level, he noted, ASUU members continue to face repercussions for their commitment to the union’s cause.

Osodeke reiterated the union’s solidarity with members at institutions like Kogi State University, Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, where he said staff are being “persecuted for their dedication to protecting public university education.”

During the event, ASUU honoured distinguished members, including Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala, Prof. Bright Ekuerhare, Prof. Oye Oyediran, Mallam Bashir Kurfi, Prof. The Name Ikiddeh, Mr. S.A. Fadipe, Prof. Sola Olukunle, Nasir Hussain, Tunde Oduleye, Prof. Rasheed Abubakar, Akin Oyebode, Mustapha A. Danesi, A.T. Wins, and Dr. Peter Ozo-son, for their lasting contributions to the union and the defence of Nigeria’s public education sector.