Stop Building More Universities, Fix the Existing Ones, ASUU Advises Government

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Akure Zone, has alleged that the Federal Government is falsely presenting the situation of discuss...

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Akure Zone, has alleged that the Federal Government is falsely presenting the situation of discussions with the union, stating that new universities are only "crisis centers."

Speaking to journalists on the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University, located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Thursday, Prof. Adeola Egbedokun, the ASUU Akure Zonal Coordinator, stated that even though the Federal Government had imposed a seven-year freeze on the creation of new universities, it proceeded to declare additional institutions.

PUNCH previously indicated that the Federal Government has authorized a seven-year moratorium on establishing new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, in response to worries about the excessive number of underused institutions, strained resources, and deteriorating academic standards.

The suspension was endorsed during a Federal Executive Council session chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following a report from the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu Alausa.

Nevertheless, nine new universities — such as the one in Epe — were granted permission.

Egbedokun, accompanied by ASUU chairmen from the seven branches within the Akure Zone, voiced worry that although current universities were underfunded, the Federal Government kept approving new ones, despite previously stating a halt to such approvals.

He stated, "A few months ago, the government introduced a seven-year moratorium on setting up new tertiary institutions. One of the concerns of our union is the expansion of universities, particularly at the federal and state levels, and we were arguing that instead of increasing their number, we should focus on improving the existing ones."

It was decided that for seven years, no university would be given a license again, but we all witnessed what occurred a few days ago when we learned that a new university received a license. I believe the Nigerian government should honor its promises. Let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no'. Is seven years the same as seven days?

Revisiting the renegotiation process following the halt of ASUU's warning strike, Egbedokun mentioned that the National Executive Council turned down the salary increase suggested by the Federal Government, calling it "a superficial and offensive move."

He stated that the offer would not stop the departure of scholars or bring back respect to the academic field, and he said, **"In clear terms, the Union has turned down the proposal of a 35% raise for current academic salaries."**

Although some minor advancements might have been noted in non-financial aspects, the key matters regarding pay and working conditions are still not settled and require bold and fearless action.

He also criticized "the undermining strategies of some government officials, who keep altering facts and mischaracterizing the state of the discussions," emphasizing that "The gradual payment of promotion arrears that go back as far as 2017, along with the late release of third-party deductions (deductions owed to Cooperative societies, amounting to billions of naira) that have been due to members for years, should not and cannot be considered as real accomplishments."

With under a month remaining for the Federal Government to respond to ASUU's requests, Egbedokun called on officials to **"demonstrate clear intent, dedication, and honesty in achieving a thorough and enduring solution."**

A minimum of a fair and dignified income for Nigerian academics is the only acceptable standard. It must be clearly emphasized: the most reliable path to ensuring Nigeria's future is to make substantial investments in education.

Reiterating the union's requirements, he advocated for the "completion of the re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, settlement of unpaid 25/35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears, release of unremitted third-party deductions, and long-term financing of Nigerian universities," along with other concerns — cautioning that non-response might lead to industrial disturbances on university grounds.

Prominent ASUU representatives who attended the meeting were: 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 stated that the Federal Ministry of Education explained that the president had given approval for the creation of the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, in Lagos State, prior to the Federal Executive Council implementing a seven-year ban on new federal higher education institutions.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, stated that President Bola Tinubu had given approval to the universities in Epe, Kachia, and Ogoniland via a Presidential Executive Memo before the FEC made its decision.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).