I’m Product of State University in Nigeria, Prof. Adunbi of Michighan University replies Osodeke

A s condemnations continued to trail President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke’s description of state universities as “quacks” and irrelevant, a United States based academic, Prof Omolade Adunbi, has said the ASUU President was insensitive in his comment.

Adunbi, who was reacting to the comment by Osodeke, as a product of a state-owned university in Nigeria, he currently teaches at a US stated owned university which is ranked one of the top 16 in the world.

“The comment credited to the ASUU president that suggests a denigration of state universities is highly insensitive and uncalled for,” he said in statement to the NPO Reports on Saturday.

Osodeke, while fielding questions in a live television interview on Thursday, had condemned resumptions by some state universities after six months of being on strike.

Academic staff union of universities have been on strike in the last six months in the country.

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Adunbi, who was recently announced as the Director of the Michigan State University’s African Studies Centre, said Osodeke’s comment showed a poor understanding of the support state universities are providing in the country.

“I am a proud product of a state university and I really appreciate the fact that state universities are providing the necessary support and access to education in Nigeria.

“The comment clearly shows a lack of appreciation of the important contribution that state universities are making to national and global development.

I teach at a state owned university that is among the top 16 in the world and I appreciate the importance of knowledge production by products of state universities of which I am one.”

The ASUU President’s comment had drawn the ire of many state universities in the country.

Among state-owned universities that have condemned Osodeke for his comments are the Kwara State University, Osun State University, Kaduna State University.

NPO