ASUU urges President Tinubu to prioritize tertiary education reform

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to address the union’s concerns regarding the revitalization of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Highlighting years of neglect by previous administrations, ASUU emphasizes the urgent need for action to resolve the ongoing crises stemming from unmet demands since 2022.

During a press conference at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Zonal Coordinator Adeola Egbedokin underscored the government’s indifference toward the plight of universities, leading to a brain drain of dedicated academics seeking better opportunities abroad. Egbedokun urged the Tinubu-led administration to promptly review and endorse the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated draft agreement of 2021 between ASUU and the government, signaling a renewed commitment to public education.

Furthermore, ASUU insists on the immediate lifting of the federal government’s long-standing embargo on university employment and the abandonment of the controversial IPPIS salary payment system, which encroaches upon university autonomy. The union advocates for quarterly releases of university funds to facilitate effective salary payment schemes under the supervision of governing councils, emphasizing the importance of respecting university regulations and addressing outstanding financial obligations.

Comprising institutions such as Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ekiti State University, Federal University Oye Ekiti, and University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, the Akure zone of ASUU echoes a unified call for governmental action to restore dignity and ensure the sustainability of public universities, thereby fostering lasting peace and progress in Nigeria’s higher education sector.