ASUU kicks as NASS pushes for establishment of 186 varsities - Newstrends
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ASUU kicks as NASS pushes for establishment of 186 varsities

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ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has kicked against the initiation of new bills for the creation of new universities in Nigeria.

ASUU wondered why the government would push for the creation of new universities while ignoring the existing ones currently in dilapidated states.

Saturday PUNCH reports that the National Universities Commission, the regulatory body of universities in Nigeria, puts the total number of federal universities at 49; state-owned universities, 55, and private-owned universities, 99.

Though the NUC had earlier argued that the number of universities and lecturers in the country might not be enough to cater for the academic needs of Nigerians, ASUU told the government to focus on fixing the existing universities and the entire university system.

An analysis conducted by our correspondent, however, revealed that since the ninth National Assembly came into power in 2019, no fewer than 186 bills had been initiated for the establishment of new universities.

In 2019 for instance, a total of 48 bills were initiated for the creation of new universities; there was a drop in 2020 when only 43 bills for new universities were pushed. Further analysis of total bills passed in 2021, however, revealed that no fewer than 80 bills were pushed for the establishment of new universities.

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15 bills initiated in 2022

Notable among the bills are the bill for the establishment of Federal University of Tourism, Wamba 2021; Federal University of Entrepreneurship Onitsha, 2022; Federal University of Transport, Daura 2021; University of Broadcast and Film studies, Jos; Nigerian Police University of Information and Technology, Abeokuta among others.

In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, wondered why the government would abandon existing universities and lecturers while focusing on new establishments.

“These are some of the things we are fighting for. When you go to Nigerian universities, you see dilapidated buildings; lecturers are not even being treated well. Why create new universities when you cannot even take care of the existing ones?

Reacting to the statistics of the NUC about the number of lecturers available in Nigerian universities, Osodeke said, “We do not have up to 100,000 lecturers in Nigerian universities, there is brain drain.

“Lecturers are leaving because of unfair treatment and they will continue to leave until the government does the right thing by making sure that adequate funds are released into the university system.”

PUNCH

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Education

25 Universities, Teaching Hospitals Get Solar Power Under REA Programme

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25 Universities, Teaching Hospitals Get Solar Power Under REA Programme
25 Universities, Teaching Hospitals Get Solar Power Under REA Programme

Twenty-five federal tertiary institutions have been connected to solar electricity under the Rural Electrification Agency’s (REA) Energizing Education Programme.

The REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, disclosed this during the commissioning of a 3MW captive solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.

According to Aliyu, the programme covers 22 federal universities and three affiliated teaching hospitals and has deployed more than 100MW of clean energy.

He said the initiative now benefits over 300,000 students and 50,000 academic and administrative staff.

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Aliyu added that the new 3MW facility would power key university facilities, including lecture halls, laboratories, ICT systems, administrative buildings and campus lighting.

Meanwhile, Minister of Power Joseph O. Tegbe said reliable electricity was essential to supporting teaching, research, healthcare and digital services in universities.

He stressed that the long-term performance of the solar projects would be more important than their commissioning.

Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, also said dependable electricity was critical to the institution’s academic and research activities.

25 Universities, Teaching Hospitals Get Solar Power Under REA Programme

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Niger State Urges Local Communities to Protect Newly Completed Public Schools

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Niger State Urges Local Communities to Protect Newly Completed Public Schools

Basic education officials deliver modern classrooms to help children learn safely, kicking off an ambitious statewide renovation drive.

State education leaders in Niger State are calling on neighborhood residents and parent groups to take good care of newly renovated primary schools.

On Wednesday, the head of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Ibrahim A. Liman, reminded communities that public classrooms belong to everyone, warning that state funding can only make a lasting difference when local people watch over these shared spaces.

To prepare for handing over the keys, board officials visited Zango Primary School in Kontagora and Richard Lander Primary School in New Bussa. These two locations are the first to finish out of seven model schools currently under construction.

During their visits, team members inspected classrooms to make sure builders followed high safety standards, while encouraging neighbors to keep the grounds secure, tidy, and ready for pupils.

Furthermore, state officials explained that these building projects are part of a larger plan to improve early education across every community. Alongside these new classrooms, the board is starting repair work on about 400 primary schools throughout the state.

In addition to fixing desks and roofs, authorities are upgrading classroom teaching tools and supporting teachers. As a result, children across all backgrounds will have safe, welcoming spaces to learn and grow together.

 

Niger State Urges Local Communities to Protect Newly Completed Public Schools

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LASU, LASUED, LASUSTECH Shut as ASUU Begins Indefinite Strike

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ASUU Crisis Deepens: Lagos Universities Join UNIBEN, Taraba on Indefinite Strike
LASU, LASUED, LASUSTECH Shut as ASUU Begins Indefinite Strike

Students at three Lagos State-owned universities are facing an indefinite interruption of academic activities after ASUU declared a strike over unresolved demands.

LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH are affected by the industrial action announced by the union’s Joint Campus Group.

ASUU said it had given the Lagos State Government 14 days from August 31 to address its concerns. According to the union, the deadline expired without a concrete plan or meaningful dialogue.

The union had also issued a final warning on September 10, but said the September 13 deadline passed without talks.

Its main demand is for Lagos State to domesticate and implement the December 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement across the three institutions.

ASUU also wants the implementation of welfare provisions, including the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance for serving and retired academic staff.

The union said the strike would continue until negotiations produce a satisfactory outcome. It also urged students and parents to remain calm.

While the dispute has led to a fresh shutdown in Lagos, another ASUU branch has suspended its strike in Plateau State.

The Plateau State University branch reached an agreement with the state government on issues including the 2025 agreement, outstanding arrears, staff accommodation and other demands. Members are expected to return to academic activities from midnight on September 16.

Meanwhile, ASUU at Taraba State University has issued a fresh 14-day ultimatum to the Taraba State Government. The notice runs from September 14 to September 28 and concerns outstanding provisions of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.

 

LASU, LASUED, LASUSTECH Shut as ASUU Begins Indefinite Strike

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