ASUU Raises Concerns Over Threats to Nigeria’s Public Universities, Calls Out World Bank and IMF
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) issued a stark warning on Tuesday about ongoing efforts that, it claims, aim to undermine the interest and sustainability of Nigeria’s public university system.
During ASUU’s annual Heroes Day event in Abuja, ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, voiced strong criticisms against international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), accusing them of actively seeking to destabilize Nigeria’s public education framework.
At the heart of ASUU’s grievances lies the stalled renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government (FGN) Agreement. The union has long sought to revisit and finalize the terms of this agreement, which was designed to address funding gaps, enhance university facilities, and improve academic staff welfare.
Despite multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Action (MoAs) aimed at resolving these issues, ASUU contends that the federal government has not followed through on its commitments, leaving crucial concerns unaddressed.
Osodeke lamented the implementation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) within public universities. Despite recent announcements from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) about the potential removal of IPPIS from tertiary institutions, it continues to be enforced, which ASUU claims is detrimental to the autonomy and smooth operation of Nigeria’s higher education system.
ASUU also raised concerns about withheld salaries and delayed payments. The federal government has yet to release three and a half months’ worth of ASUU members’ wages, including arrears, promotions, and Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), which remain outstanding. These financial strains, Osodeke argued, reflect broader systemic neglect affecting public university faculty members across Nigeria.
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Prof. Osodeke commended ASUU members across the nation for their resilience and solidarity, emphasizing that their sacrifices resonate with the struggle to protect public university education and support the welfare of the Nigerian people.
ASUU’s Heroes Day, a celebration of past and present champions of Nigeria’s public university system, serves as a powerful reminder of the union’s commitment to defending educational equity and accessibility.
The union also announced a new initiative during the event, underscoring its dedication to academic development. ASUU will offer PhD grants valued at N500,000 to selected members across public universities, with recipients chosen through a rigorous evaluation of proposals by academic experts.
This initiative aims to support research and advanced studies, demonstrating ASUU’s ongoing investment in the academic growth of its members.
“We celebrate our heroes and recognize their contributions to the defense of public university education. Yet, the reality remains grim as we battle forces determined to destabilize the Nigerian university system,” Osodeke stated.
“The World Bank and the IMF have maintained a relentless push against our public institutions, and our struggle to compel the renegotiation of our 2009 Agreement with the government—twelve years after it was due—is a reflection of that struggle.”
ASUU also reiterated support for its members facing adverse conditions at state universities, including Kogi State University, Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, where ASUU members have experienced pushback for their solidarity and efforts to preserve public university standards.
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Among the esteemed individuals honored at the Heroes Day event were Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala, Prof. Bright Ekuerhare, Prof. Oye Oyediran, Mallam Bashir Kurfi, Prof. Name 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.
As ASUU moves forward, its priorities remain clear: to advocate for fair policies, defend the rights of academic staff, and ensure the sustainability of Nigeria’s public universities. The union continues its call for accountability, urging both national and international stakeholders to prioritize education as a public good that is essential for the country’s future.
Through persistent advocacy and support for research, ASUU remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s educational foundation and pushing back against forces it perceives as undermining this goal.