The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised the alarm over what it describes as the Federal Government’s failure to release ₦50 billion earmarked for the revitalization of public universities, a development that threatens to plunge the nation’s tertiary education system into another round of industrial unrest.
The union has also called for the immediate removal of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, accusing him of incompetence and displaying a “flagrant disregard” for the university system.
The allegations were made by the ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, during a press briefing on Tuesday. According to Prof. Osodeke, the withheld funds were part of commitments made by the government to address the lingering issues that have plagued the university system, including poor infrastructure and the contentious Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
Prof. Osodeke stated that the government’s failure to fulfill its financial promises is a direct violation of the agreements meant to prevent further strikes. He characterized the situation as a deliberate attempt to suffocate public universities and undermine the quality of education in Nigeria.
The union has given the Federal Government an ultimatum to meet its demands, warning that it will not hesitate to embark on a nationwide strike if the funds are not released and the Minister of Education is not replaced. This threat revives fears of another prolonged disruption to the academic calendar in Nigeria’s public universities.
