Cross section of matriculating students at Federal University Lokoja on April 10, 2018 at Adankolo Campus in Kogi.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says the most reliable way to secure Nigeria’s future is through substantial investment in education.
Adeola Egbedokun, zonal coordinator of ASUU in Akure, spoke on Thursday during a press briefing held at the union’s Obafemi Awolowo University secretariat.
Egbedokun criticised the federal government for what he described as inconsistent policies on the establishment of universities despite an existing seven-year moratorium on issuing new licences.
He noted that ASUU had repeatedly opposed the proliferation of universities at both federal and state levels, insisting that the government should instead focus on strengthening existing institutions.
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“The government must live up to its word. Most of these newly established universities lack the required facilities and qualified personnel,” he said.
Egbedokun argued that only the first-generation universities currently have adequate academic staff, well-equipped laboratories, standard lecture rooms, and reliable infrastructure.
“It is unfortunate that some of these mushroom universities admit thousands of students into a few classrooms without proper facilities or offices for lecturers,” the coordinator said.
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“If the federal government channels more resources into strengthening existing universities, there will be fewer crises and less need for complaints.”
Egbedokun urged the government to resolve the outstanding issues that led to ASUU’s recent two-week strike, which he said was suspended due to goodwill and solidarity from students, parents, labour unions, and civil society groups.
He stated that the unresolved matters include finalising the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, settling outstanding salary and promotion arrears, and releasing unremitted third-party deductions.
He also demanded an end to the victimisation of ASUU members at Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (KSU), and the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), along with sustainable funding and revitalisation of the nation’s university system.
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Egbedokun appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, students, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and civil society organisations to keep supporting ASUU’s fight for quality education in Nigeria.
The coordinator warned that the union might resort to an indefinite strike if the government fails to address the issues within one month.
ASUU chair persons present at the briefing included Anthony Odiwe (OAU), Bamidele Mogaji (FUTA), Sola Afolayan (EKSU), Babatope Ogundare (BOUESTI), Abayomi Fagbuagun (UNIMED), Abraham Oladebeye (FUOYE), and Bosun Ajisafe (AFUED).
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