ASUU Strike Update: What Nigerian Students Must Know

This article expresses support for university faculty members. It seems unfair as a society to compensate a Professor with N533,000 monthly while his graduate earns N29 million each month, as noted by Professor Itse Sagay.

I’m also referencing Senator Shehu Sani’s claim of N14 million. Even so! A former House of Representatives member somewhat confirmed Professor Sagay’s assertion that a Representative earns N21 million monthly. Vice-chancellors receive around N1.5 million.

Lecturers struggle to keep their vehicles in good condition. Some spend nights in their offices. In certain instances, lecturers wait by the roadside to be picked up by their colleagues on a rotating basis. To become a legislator in many regions of the country, one must possess a university degree or its equivalent, and professors are the ones who have the authority to issue these degree certificates. In my opinion, that is where we should begin. We need to ensure that our university lecturers feel valued and respected.

Over the years, university operations related to delivering quality education in our country have been disrupted repeatedly, causing wealthy families to seek educational opportunities in Western nations or India. Faculty members themselves are also leaving in search of better opportunities. University education has become essential yet basic. Even if one eventually becomes a mechanic, they will be a more skilled and well-rounded mechanic.

From the Babangida administration, where lecturers were accused of teaching content they were not compensated for, to Professor Ben Nwabueze’s time as Minister, through Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to Buhari, and now Bola Tinubu, the narrative remains unchanged, and the situation is disheartening. There has been no reconsideration of the issues.