The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has voiced deep concerns over what it describes as persistent attempts to undermine Nigeria’s public universities.
At the 2024 ASUU Heroes Day in Abuja, ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, accused international bodies, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), of actively working to “destroy Nigeria’s public education system.”
“Our heroes are celebrated today amid an ongoing struggle to rescue Nigeria’s public universities from the suffocating influence of the World Bank and the IMF, whose efforts to dismantle our public university system have remained relentless,” Osodeke stated.
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During the event, ASUU honored notable academics for their contributions, including Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala, Prof. Bright Ekuerhare, Prof. Oye Oyediran, and others.
Prof. Osodeke also criticized the Nigerian government for its delay in renegotiating ASUU’s 2009 Agreement. “It is deeply disappointing that, twelve years after it should have been concluded, we are still struggling to compel the federal government to renegotiate the 2009 Agreement. Despite numerous Memoranda of Understanding and Action, the ASUU-FGN Agreement remains unfulfilled.”
He further alleged that some state governments have retaliated against ASUU members for supporting the union’s fight to protect the university system, citing Kogi State University, Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University as examples where staff faced repercussions.
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As part of Heroes Day, ASUU announced a new PhD grant program for members of public universities. A rigorous assessment of research proposals will determine the award of the grants, valued at N500,000 each.
ASUU has long been at odds with the Nigerian government, citing inadequate funding and a lack of commitment to university education.
The union continues to advocate for reforms to protect Nigeria’s public universities from what it sees as detrimental external pressures and government neglect.