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
Lagos govt raises boarding fee to N100,000/term after parents have paid N35,000
Lagos govt raises boarding fee to N100,000/term after parents have paid N35,000
The Lagos State Government has increased boarding fees in all secondary schools across the state from N35,000 to N100,000 per term.
A letter addressed to all boarding school principals, signed by Olufemi Asaolu, Director of Basic Education Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, read: “I have the directive of the Honourable Commissioner to inform all Public Boarding House schools in Lagos State that the State Government has approved the review of the Boarding fee payable in all Public Boarding House schools in Lagos State. The newly approved fee is N100,000 Only.”
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The letter, titled “Review of Boarding Fees in All Public Secondary Schools in Lagos State for 2024/2025 Session,” also stated that no additional fees should be collected by the schools and announced that the resumption date has been set for September 15, 2024.
“I am further directed to inform you that no additional fee of any form should be collected by the schools.
“Kindly note that the resumption date remains 15th September 2024.”
Lagos govt raises boarding fee to N100,000/term after parents have paid N35,000
Education
ASUU condemns sacking of five LASU lecturers, others
ASUU condemns sacking of five LASU lecturers, others
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa Chapter in Ondo State, has condemned the sacking of five members of the union in some universities.
Dr Rotimi Olorunisola, ASUU Chairman, OAUSTECH chapter, disclosed to journalists on Wednesday in Okitipupa, that some lecturers were “illegally” sacked by the Governing Councils of Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (KSU), and Ebonyi State University (EBSU).
Olorunisola said that the actions of these institutions were not only a violation of the due process required for the termination of academic staff, but also an assault on the autonomy of the academic profession.
The don said that it was unacceptable that lecturers, who were dedicated to knowledge pursuit, research, and nation-building; should be treated with disdain by their institutions.
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He added that the unjust dismissals of the lecturers were clear attempt to undermine academic freedom and silence the voices of those who are working tirelessly to uphold the high standards of education in Nigeria.
According to him, the governing councils acted in direct contravention of established labour laws, university statutes and the principles of natural justice.
“ASUU will not stand idly by while our members are unlawfully victimised and their rights trampled upon.
“We categorically state that these sackings are illegal, unconstitutional, and a gross abuse of power.
“We demand the immediate reinstatement of all lecturers wrongfully dismissed, and we call on the Federal Government, state authorities, and all stakeholders in the education sector to intervene swiftly to correct this grave injustice,” he said
He said that ASUU would stand united in the fight for justice, and resolute in defending the rights and dignity of all academic staff in the country.
“Failure to rectify this situation will leave ASUU with no option but to escalate our actions in defence of our members’ rights.
“ASUU will not be intimidated or suppressed by illegitimate actions that disregard the rule of law and the collective agreements that govern our institutions,” Olorunisola added.
ASUU condemns sacking of five LASU lecturers, others
Education
RSIF opens scholarship opportunities for Engineering, Tech PhD students, researchers
RSIF opens scholarship opportunities for Engineering, Tech PhD students, researchers
PASET’s Regional Scholarship and Innovative Fund (Rsif) is offering a significant opportunity for African graduate students and researchers in Sub Saharan African (SSA) countries.
The Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET), is looking to address the shortage of highly qualified specialists in applied sciences, engineering, and technology (ASET), in order to improve innovation capacities in SSA countries.
Scholarship Region reports that, “the PASET Regional Scholarship offers a fully funded study opportunity that covers tuition, research, travel and monthly allowance to cover living expenses such as accommodation and meals.”
The scholarship, as stated, seeks to help PhD students, postdoctoral scientists, and universities in SSA countries (such as Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Malawi, along with 41 other countries) to build training, research, and innovation environments.
About the PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund
Rsif is a flagship program under PASET, thag supports PhD students, post-doctoral scientists, and universities in SSA.
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The program, as reported, is funded by African governments, the World Bank, and the Government of Korea. It is managed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Eligibility Criteria
According to Rsif’s official site, applicants for the Rsif PhD Scholarship must:
- Be a citizen of a sub-Saharan African country.
- Hold a relevant master’s degree.
- Meet specific admission requirements of the Rsif AHU hosting the PhD program.
- Be 35 years of age or younger at the time of application.
- Enroll full-time in a PhD program at an Rsif AHU for the 2024-2025 academic year.
- Do not hold another PhD scholarship.
- Commit to a 6-12 month ‘sandwich’ training at an international partner university, research institute, or private company.
- Work on research topics contributing to regional development in Africa.
It is noted that priority will be given to women and young academic faculty without a PhD.
Benefits and Duration
The scholarship covers
- university tuition,
- research costs,
- a monthly allowance for living expenses, return travel, visas, student permits, and annual medical and personal accident insurance.
- The PhD program duration is three to four years, including a 6-12 month ‘sandwich’ placement.
RSIF opens scholarship opportunities for Engineering, Tech PhD students, researchers
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