The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, stating that without concrete efforts to address unresolved issues, 2025 could witness a prolonged confrontation between the union and the government. The union’s grievances, detailed in a statement by the Chairman of ASUU’s Ibadan chapter, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, reflect long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s education sector.
ASUU described the Federal Government’s efforts to address its issues in 2024 as superficial and ineffective. According to Prof. Akinwole, the uninterrupted academic calendar in 2024 resulted from sacrifices made by the union rather than any substantial intervention by the government. He accused the government of neglecting the university system and failing to resolve critical issues.
ASUU highlighted unresolved issues such as the non-provision of funding for the revitalization of public universities, withheld salaries, unpaid Earned Academic Allowances, and concerns over the proliferation of public universities without adequate planning and resources. Other challenges include the non-implementation of recommendations from Visitation Panel reports, the failure to adopt the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), and the lack of progress in renegotiating agreements.
The union emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues in 2025, including the payment of withheld salaries, implementation of UTAS, signing of renegotiated agreements, and increased funding for universities. ASUU also called for a reversal of proposed policy changes, such as the elimination of the education tax, and the restoration of professors’ salaries to align with the African average.
ASUU criticized the Federal Government’s proposed tax reform bills, warning that they would jeopardize the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), a vital source of infrastructural funding for public tertiary institutions. The 2025 budget proposal, allocating only 7% to education, also drew criticism for falling below internationally recommended benchmarks.
The union urged the government to prioritize education by addressing overcrowding, improving teacher remuneration, and reducing the high rate of out-of-school children. Prof. Akinwole called on union members to remain vigilant and prepared for potential crises in 2025, emphasizing unity in their efforts to protect education in Nigeria.
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