ASUU to FG: Fix Nigerian Varsities, Stop New Ones

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Akure Zone, has accused the Federal Government of misrepresenting the state of talks with the union. They claim that the newly created universities are merely “crisis centers.”

On Thursday, during a conversation with reporters at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, ASUU Akure Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Adeola Egbedokun, pointed out that the Federal Government had imposed a seven-year freeze on opening new universities. Despite this, the government still announced new institutions.

PUNCH previously reported that the Federal Government approved the seven-year freeze on establishing new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This decision was due to worries about the oversaturation of underused institutions, limited resources, and falling academic standards.

The moratorium was authorized in a Federal Executive Council meeting led by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, after a proposal from the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu Alausa.

However, ignoring the moratorium, nine new universities, including one in Epe, received approval.

Egbedokun, along with ASUU chairpersons from seven branches of the Akure Zone, expressed concern that while existing universities suffer from poor funding, the Federal Government continues to approve new ones even after announcing a halt to such actions.

He said, “A few months ago, the government declared a seven-year freeze on creating new tertiary institutions. One of our union’s concerns is the increase in the number of universities at both the federal and state levels. We believe that instead of creating more, we should focus on the needs of the current ones.”

He added, “It was agreed that for seven years, no licenses would be granted for new universities, yet we have recently learned that a new university has been licensed. The government of Nigeria must keep its promises. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Is seven years the same as seven days?”

Regarding the renegotiation process since the suspension of ASUU’s warning strike, Egbedokun mentioned that the National Executive Council turned down the salary adjustment proposed by the Federal Government. They called it “a minimal and insulting gesture.”

He stated that this proposal would not stop scholars from leaving or restore dignity to the academic profession. He added, “Clearly, the Union has rejected the offer of a 35% pay increase for academics.”

“While there may have been some moderate progress in non-monetary areas, the key issues around salary and working conditions remain unresolved and need bold action.”

He also condemned “the undermining tactics of some government officials, who continue to misrepresent facts and distort the status of the negotiations.” He emphasized that “the incremental payment of promotion arrears from 2017, along with the delayed release of third-party deductions owed to cooperative societies, totaling billions of naira, cannot and should not be seen as significant achievements.”

With less than a month left for the Federal Government to address ASUU’s demands, Egbedokun urged authorities to “act with clarity, commitment, and integrity to reach a thorough and lasting resolution.”

“A fair and respectable living wage for Nigerian academics is the only acceptable standard. Let it be clear: the best way to secure Nigeria’s future is to invest heavily in education.”

Restating the union’s requests, he called for the “finalization of the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, settlement of outstanding 25/35% salary arrears, disbursement of promotion arrears, payment of unremitted third-party deductions, and sustainable funding for Nigerian universities,” among other issues. He warned that a lack of response could lead to unrest on university campuses.

ASUU officials present at the briefing included Prof. Anthony Odiwe (OAU), Prof. Bamidele Mogaji (FUTA), Prof. Sola Afolayan (EKSU), Dr. Abraham Oladebeye (UNIMED), Dr. Abayomi Fagbuagun (FUOYE), Dr. Babatope Ogundare (BOUESTI), and Dr. Bosun Ajisafe (Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo).

On Sunday, PUNCH reported that the Federal Ministry of Education clarified that presidential approval for the Federal University of Science and Technology in Epe, Lagos State, had been granted before the Federal Executive Council imposed the seven-year freeze on new federal tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa confirmed that President Bola Tinubu authorized the creation of universities in Epe, Kachia, and Ogoniland “through a Presidential Executive Memo before the FEC’s decision.”