ASUU Calls for Urgent Action to Save University Education

Nigeria’s university education system is facing a severe crisis. Almost annually, conflicts arise between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government, further destabilizing the educational framework. This ongoing struggle highlights the immediate necessity for a thorough reform of the sector.

On October 22, ASUU ended the two-week warning strike it initiated on October 13. The union announced the cessation of the strike after productive discussions with government representatives and the intervention of various concerned Nigerians.

ASUU President Chris Piwuna indicated that the union would provide the Federal Government with a month to prove its sincerity and dedication to addressing all unresolved matters.

ASUU’s demands are straightforward and non-negotiable: to finalize the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement; to pay withheld salaries amounting to three and a half months from the 2022 strike; to address outstanding salary arrears ranging between 25 and 35 per cent; and to ensure sustainable funding for public universities.

The Federal Government had pledged to inject N1.3 trillion into the revitalization of public universities in six installments as part of the 2009 agreement. Although the first installment of N200 billion was disbursed in 2013, the anticipated annual allocation of N220 billion over the subsequent five years never occurred.

This amount, which was already inadequate at that time, is now meager, especially considering the naira has depreciated by more than 90 per cent since 2009. Moreover, the number of federal government-owned universities has nearly doubled from 39 in 2009 to 74 today.

To replicate the advancements seen in leading Western and Asian economies, the government must prioritize higher education by adequately investing in both personnel and facilities.

At present, public universities endure deteriorating infrastructures, outdated libraries, inadequate laboratory equipment and accommodation, and congested classrooms. This situation is particularly disheartening given that many of Nigeria’s current leaders have attained high positions owing to the education they received both domestically and internationally.

While ASUU’s continuous strike-driven methods for advocating improved welfare and reforms have contributed to the university crises, the government shares the responsibility to address these issues effectively.

President Bola Tinubu must honor his commitment to finding lasting solutions, beginning with upholding the agreement made with ASUU.

Funding Nigerian universities necessitates innovative strategies. If the need arises to raise bonds, the government should pursue it with stringent accountability.

Worldwide, universities sustain themselves through patents, endowments, government and research grants, and various revenue sources. For example, Harvard University’s endowment reached $56.9 billion in 2025, with that year’s operating expenses ttotaling$6.8 billion.

Nigerian universities should look beyond government funding and adopt entrepreneurial initiatives. The University of Lagos, for instance, established a car assembly plant in 2022 in collaboration with Nord Automobiles, in addition to a water production enterprise.

Likewise, the University of Ibadan runs U.I. Ventures Limited, which oversees a variety of businesses, including a hotel, event center, bakery, cold storage facility, mini-mart, petrol station, and printing business.

Pan-Atlantic University showcases entrepreneurial creativity by generating income through its Enterprise Development Center and Lagos Business School, which offer business development and consulting services.

Institutions of higher education should pursue collaborations with private organizations to secure funding, but must first demonstrate their significance to those companies. Alumni associations also represent a largely ignored asset that can aid these institutions.

Additionally, faculty members need to receive competitive salaries to attract and retain skilled professionals. The fact that a professor’s average monthly salary is N500,000 highlights issues related to staff welfare. As noted by Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, low pay compelled at least 239 top graduates employed as lecturers at UNILAG to leave within a span of seven years.

This reality stands in stark contrast to compensation in other nations. In Switzerland, a teacher with 15 years of experience can earn around $69,000 each year, while in Luxembourg, a teacher with similar experience earns approximately $98,000.

University leaders must demonstrate commitment and foresight to develop institutions that address the country’s demands. Although the government plays an essential role, universities need to seek internal solutions and innovations.