The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has sounded the alarm, warning Nigerians to prepare for another looming crisis in public universities—squarely blaming the Federal Government for its inaction.
Speaking during a press conference at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, on Monday, the ASUU Benin Zone, led by Zonal Coordinator Prof. Monday Igbafen, declared that lecturers have been “pushed to the wall” due to the government’s failure to honor agreements reached since the suspension of the last strike in October 2022.
“We want to tell Nigerians not to hold ASUU responsible, but hold the Federal Government responsible for the paralysis that will soon cripple Nigerian universities,” Igbafen stated.
He lamented that Nigerian lecturers remain among the most marginalized professionals in the country, despite their pivotal role in nation-building.
Unfulfilled Promises and Growing Frustrations
According to ASUU, the government has:
- Failed to sign the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement.
- Refused to pay withheld salaries of lecturers.
- Continued to neglect proper funding for public universities.
Igbafen noted that while inflation and the cost of living skyrocket, lecturers remain stuck on a salary structure that has not been reviewed in over 16 years.
“It is unimaginable that lecturers, abandoned to an abysmally poor salary system, are expected to function effectively, while government officials comfortably send their children abroad to study,” he added.
Call for Collective Action
ASUU has called on students, parents, civil society organisations, and labour unions to intervene immediately, urging them to mount pressure on the Federal Government to prevent another devastating shutdown of universities.
The union reiterated that strikes are always a last resort, not a desire, emphasizing that lecturers are equally frustrated with the endless cycle of disruptions but have no other option left.
Unless urgent steps are taken by the Federal Government, Nigerians may soon witness another crippling strike that could further paralyze the education sector.
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