- Union Blames Federal Government for Neglect of Higher Education Sector
- Calls for Immediate Action on Agreements and Better Funding
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has signaled its readiness to engage in a fresh struggle with the Federal Government in 2025 if longstanding issues affecting the education sector remain unresolved.
In a statement on Wednesday, Professor Ayo Akinwole, Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU, criticized the government for its continued neglect of university education throughout 2024. He accused the administration of failing to address critical concerns raised by the union, despite the sacrifices made by ASUU to ensure an uninterrupted academic calendar.
“The uninterrupted 2024 academic calendar was not due to any effort by the Federal Government but to the sacrifices of ASUU members,” Akinwole said. “Unfortunately, the key issues we raised remain unaddressed, and these will define our relationship with the government in 2025.”
Unresolved Issues and Key Demands
Akinwole outlined several unresolved issues, including:
- Non-release of funds for public university revitalization as agreed in the 2012, 2013, and 2017 FGN-ASUU agreements.
- Withheld salaries and third-party deductions for lecturers.
- Outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and arrears.
- Proliferation of underfunded public universities.
- Failure to implement visitation panel reports and renegotiate the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement.
The ASUU chairman also condemned the introduction of an 18-year age limit for university admission, describing it as ill-conceived.
Call for Action
ASUU urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to renegotiate and sign the Nimi-Briggs-led draft agreement and address the worsening remuneration of university lecturers. Akinwole highlighted the sharp decline in professorial salaries, which have dropped from $3,000 in 2009 to a mere $200 due to the naira’s depreciation.
“The welfare of our members is paramount, considering the dire economic conditions and the eroded value of our salaries,” Akinwole said.
He also called for adequate funding of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and rejected any policies that commodify university education, urging Nigeria to emulate countries like Germany, where higher education is free and adequately funded.
Warning of Impending Crisis
The union warned that continued neglect could spark a fresh crisis in 2025, potentially disrupting the academic calendar and deepening the challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector.
“Having reviewed the state of education in 2024, it is time to set an agenda for 2025. If the Federal Government remains unresponsive, ASUU will have no choice but to act in defense of the future of education in Nigeria,” Akinwole concluded.
ASUU’s demands, rooted in agreements dating back over a decade, reflect the union’s ongoing struggle to secure sustainable reforms for Nigeria’s higher education system.
