The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised serious concerns over what it perceives as the Nigerian government’s imposition of hardship on both lecturers and students. During a press conference held on Friday at the University of Lagos by the Lagos Zone of the union, Prof Adelaja Odukoya, the Zonal Coordinator, emphasized the critical need to apprise Nigerians of the developments following the suspension of the last nationwide strike on October 14, 2022. The conference aimed to shed light on ASUU’s ongoing interactions with the present administration and underscore the potential consequences arising from the perceived lack of substantial actions by the authorities.
One of the recurring grievances voiced by ASUU has been the government’s failure to honor agreements made with lecturers. Prof Adelaja Odukoya lamented the consistent disregard for these agreements and highlighted the apparent lack of concern for the well-being of dedicated academics in Nigeria’s public universities. The union’s accusations point to what they perceive as the government’s persistent insensitivity, creating an environment of misery for lecturers and students alike.
ASUU’s commitment to elevating public universities in Nigeria to global standards remains steadfast, despite the challenges and setbacks encountered in their pursuit. The union continues to assert its dedication to patriotic endeavors, seeking improvements and reforms to ensure the betterment of the educational landscape in the country. The press conference served as a platform for ASUU to communicate the gravity of the situation, urging the government to address the concerns raised and work collaboratively toward creating an environment conducive to academic excellence.
The events outlined by Prof Adelaja Odukoya underscore the complex relationship between the academic community and the government, where unfulfilled agreements and perceived neglect contribute to an atmosphere of discontent. ASUU’s unwavering commitment to its mission amid these challenges highlights the resilience of academics striving to enhance the quality of education in Nigeria. The press conference not only aimed to update the public but also served as a poignant call for action to address the grievances voiced by ASUU and pave the way for a more constructive and collaborative future between the union and the Nigerian government.
Highlighted issues included the reevaluation of the FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement, the non-payment of salaries and academic allowances, exclusion from the integrated personnel and payroll information system, concerns regarding public universities and the treasury single account, and the proliferation of universities.
Addressing TETFUND and international collaborations, Odukoya remarked, “Beyond the government’s misuse of TETFUND, our union has taken note of unrefuted media reports indicating TETFUND’s intent to assist King’s College, London, in establishing a medical school in Nigeria under the guise of a partnership.
“We call upon the Fund’s leadership to furnish additional details on this proposed initiative and dispel concerns about diverting funds designated for the progress of Nigerian institutions to foreign counterparts. We firmly believe that the agency can enhance its interventions in various areas for the betterment of Nigerian universities.”
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