The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has sounded the alarm over an alleged plot to undermine Nigeria’s public universities.
Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU’s National President, made this revelation at the 2024 ASUU Heroes Day celebration in Abuja, accusing the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) of attempting to dismantle the country’s public education system.
*Key Concerns*
– Delayed renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement
– Enforcement of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) despite FEC’s plan to remove it
– Unpaid salaries, wages, promotions, and Earned Academic Allowance
Osodeke expressed disappointment that, despite multiple Memoranda of Understanding and Action, the 2009 agreement remains unrenegotiated and unfinalized. He emphasized that ASUU members are being punished at the state level for advocating for university interests.
ASUU will offer PhD grants worth N500,000 each to deserving members across public universities. These grants will be awarded based on rigorous proposal assessments by experts.
The event honored notable individuals, including Prof T. Uzodinma Nwala, Prof Bright Ekuerhare, and Prof Oye Oyediran, for their contributions to the union.
ASUU’s ongoing struggle seeks to:
– Improve facilities and student welfare
– Revitalize universities as agreed with the government
– Replace IPPIS with the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS)
– Pay outstanding earned allowances
The union’s efforts aim to rescue Nigeria’s public universities from external influences and ensure quality education.
