National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed concern over what it describes as a “deliberate plot” to weaken Nigeria’s public university system.
Speaking at the 2024 ASUU Heroes Day in Abuja on Tuesday, ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke alleged that international forces are actively working to destabilize Nigeria’s public education sector.
“There is a calculated effort by international bodies to undermine the progress of our public universities,” Osodeke stated, adding that these forces seem determined to cripple Nigeria’s education system.
Osodeke expressed frustration with the Federal Government’s long delay in renegotiating the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, which he said has left important issues unresolved despite several Memoranda of Understanding and Action.
“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,” he said.
He also criticised the continued use of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) in public universities, saying it violates previous promises to exempt universities from the system.
According to him, “The IPPIS imposition continues despite assurances from the Federal Executive Council to remove it. This system is an impediment to our universities’ operations.”
In addition, Osodeke condemned the government’s withholding of three-and-a-half months of ASUU members’ salaries, as well as arrears, promotions, and the Earned Academic Allowance, which he said remain unpaid.
“Our members are enduring hardships due to unfulfilled government promises. This includes withheld salaries and long-overdue allowances,” he remarked.
Despite these challenges, Osodeke commended ASUU members for their dedication to defending Nigeria’s public universities.
As part of its support for academic advancement, ASUU announced PhD grants of N500,000 each for selected members across public universities. Recipients will be chosen based on a rigorous review of their research proposals.“Comrades, this year’s celebration of our heroes takes place amid our ongoing struggle to rescue Nigeria’s public universities,” Osodeke emphasised.
He further expressed solidarity with ASUU members facing challenges in state institutions, such as Kogi State University, Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. “Our members in these institutions are being persecuted for their commitment to protecting public university education,” he noted.
During the event, ASUU honored several distinguished members for their lasting contributions to Nigeria’s education system, including Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala, Prof. Bright Ekuerhare, Prof. Oye Oyediran, Mallam Bashir Kurfi, Prof. 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.
