Education
Strike: We’re still considering govt offer, says ASUU
- NANS threatens to shut down all private universities
National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, says the appropriate organ of the union is still reflecting on the Federal Government’s offer and will make its position known soon.
He denied claims that the union agreed to end its strike on Wednesday, December 9.
He spoke just as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to shut down all private universities across the country should the nine-month strike embarked upon by ASUU continue.
“To put the records straight, the principal officers and trustees, who constitute the core of representatives of ASUU at negotiation meetings with the government, are not constitutionally empowered to suspend any strike action,” Ogunyemi said in a statement.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, in a statement, had said ASUU promised to call of the strike by December 9, 2020.
Ngige also said promises made to ASUU could only be achieved if the union returned to work.
But Ogunyemi said, “ASUU leadership did not reach any understanding with government to suspend the strike on December 9, 2020, and there is nothing in the government offer of November 27, 2020 to suggest that conclusion as allegedly claimed by the Minister of Labour and Employment.
“At our last meeting in the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment on November 27, 2020, the ASUU leadership promised to faithfully present the latest government offer to its members through the established tradition.
“The latest offer by government makes proposals on nearly all items of demand by the union with timelines. Among others, the document which was signed by the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, contains proposals on inauguration of the reconstituted FGN-ASUU Renegotiation Committee (1st December, 2020); release of details about visitation panels (1st December, 2020); working on the actualisation of the release of the withheld salaries of ASUU members (Wednesday, December 9, 2020).
“Clause 9 on the document reads, ‘Based on these conclusions reached on items 1-8, ASUU’s leadership will consult its organs with a view to suspending the ongoing strike.’”
He explained that the outcome of any engagement with agents of the government remained an offer which must be taken back to the branches through the various organs of the union.
He stated, “Views and perspectives on offers by governments are aggregated and presented to government agents as counter-offers.
“This trade union strategy of offer and counter-offer is continually deployed until the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU – consisting of all recognised chairpersons – finally approves what it considers an acceptable offer from the government. It is only then that any strike action by ASUU can be suspended.”
Ogunyemi also said the strike would have been avoided had the government implemented agreements it signed with ASUU.
The ASUU leader said, “It was a needless crisis in the first place. It happened because government has consistently failed to faithfully implement the agreements it freely signed with the union.
“ASUU members, as stakeholders in the Nigerian university system, are equally worried and embarrassed that those in position of authority, over the years, displayed seeming indifference to the rot and decay in Nigeria’s public universities.”
Meanwhile, President of NANS, Sunday Asefon, while speaking on a Punch Online interview programme, The Roundtable, said the association would shut down all private universities if FG and ASUU failed to resolve the crisis.
Asefon, who lamented that the ongoing strike, which is the longest industrial action embarked upon by the university lecturers, said that NANS would get into a discussion with the Federal Government representatives and ASUU leaders to find a lasting solution to resolve the stalemate in negotiations between the two sides.
However, the NANS President pointed out that if the strike action was not called off as soon as possible after consultations with both parties, the association would be left with no option but to move in and shut down all tertiary institutions in the country.
Education
ASUU declares indefinite strike in Nigerian university
ASUU declares indefinite strike in Nigerian university
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in one of Nigerian universities, Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi, has announced an indefinite strike over unresolved demands for better working conditions from the university management.
Addressing journalists following an emergency congress at the Yuli Campus in Bauchi, the Chairperson of ASUU’s SAZU branch, Awwal Nuhu, stated that all avenues for negotiation had been exhausted without any positive response from the authorities.
Nuhu said, “The congress observed that it had exhausted all mechanisms, and all attempts to get the authorities to attend to its demands were fruitless.”
He further highlighted the lack of commitment from both the university administration and the government to address their grievances.
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“Therefore, a member of the union moved for a motion for the branch to embark on a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action, which was seconded by another member,” Nuhu explained.
According to him, the congress passed a resolution for the strike to begin at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2024. He emphasized that all ASUU members at SAZU are expected to comply with the directive, with all academic activities suspended indefinitely.
“Members are directed to embark on a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action until further notice. This implies that activities such as teaching, marking, meetings, accreditation, and any other activities related to academic staff are suspended indefinitely,” he added.
The strike is aimed at compelling the university management and relevant authorities to address the union’s demands, which have remained unresolved despite numerous efforts.
ASUU declares indefinite strike in Nigerian university
Education
Increase in first-class degrees from private varsities worries ASUU
Increase in first-class degrees from private varsities worries ASUU
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed concern over the increasing number of first-class graduates being produced by private universities in Nigeria.
Speaking at an event in honor of Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, the outgoing Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, warned that such trends, if replicated by public universities without proper regulation, could undermine the integrity of academic achievements.
The ceremony, held at DELSU’s Abraka campus, saw Osodeke reflecting on the broader state of education in Nigeria. He lamented that students graduating from primary and secondary schools with high grades often lack adequate knowledge and skills.
The ASUU president also raised alarm over the ongoing “mass exodus” of skilled Nigerian professionals to countries offering better work conditions, linking the trend to systemic failures in education and other sectors. He cited incidents such as building collapses as evidence of institutional shortcomings.
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“There was a time when academics enjoyed a decent quality of life,” Osodeke said. “Now, the situation has changed, and unions must renew efforts to advocate for fair conditions. ASUU will continue to champion justice and equity in academia.”
Another ASUU member, Prof. Omotoye Olorode, presented a paper titled “New University Curricula (CCMAS): Context and Matters Arising,” criticizing the CCMAS as a tool of foreign influence designed to disrupt Nigeria’s academic frameworks. He argued it perpetuates a system where Africans are relegated to supporting the agricultural needs of developed nations.
“Nigeria has never allocated more than seven percent of its budget to education, far below UNESCO’s recommendation of 26 percent,” Olorode noted. “This reflects the stagnation in our education sector.”
The event also celebrated Egwunyenga’s achievements as vice chancellor. DELSU ASUU Chairman, Dr. Paul Opone, commended Egwunyenga for his leadership, stating, “Since 2019, the institution has struggled with poor leadership. Prof. Egwunyenga met and exceeded the expectations of ASUU and the university community, earning widespread respect.”
In his response, Egwunyenga expressed gratitude for the accolades, crediting his leadership style to the themes in Festus Iyayi’s book, Demons and Monsters. He highlighted the support he received from all parts of Delta State during his tenure.
“This is the first time ASUU has celebrated a DELSU lecturer in this manner,” Opone added. “Prof. Egwunyenga truly deserves the recognition.”
Increase in first-class degrees from private varsities worries ASUU
Education
TETFund stops fresh foreign scholarships for varsity lecturers, others
TETFund stops fresh foreign scholarships for varsity lecturers, others
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has suspended its foreign scholarship component under the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention.
The decision, attributed to rising overseas training costs and increasing cases of abscondment, will take effect from January 1, 2025.
This was disclosed in a letter signed by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono addressed the heads of beneficiary institutions, including vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts.
The letter, dated November 25, 2024, stated:
“In response to the current excessive cost of training in foreign institutions, coupled with the high rate of abscondment of scholars, the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved the suspension of the foreign component of the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention.”
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Institutions have been advised to prioritize local training needs, ensuring the programme is implemented within Nigerian institutions.
Echono emphasized that this shift is intended to reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves, enhance investment in local academic capacity, and expand the number of beneficiaries.
He further clarified that scholars currently enrolled in foreign institutions under the programme will continue to receive sponsorship until they complete their studies.
This move reflects TETFund’s strategic focus on optimizing resources and strengthening local education systems to achieve a broader impact.
TETFund stops fresh foreign scholarships for varsity lecturers, others
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