- Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) accused World Bank, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) of working to destroy public universities in Nigeria
- Prof. Osodeke slammed the Federal Government for inaction on higher education issues
- Frustration over the delay in renegotiating the 2009 agreement and withheld salaries
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been accused by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of working to destroy Nigeria’s public higher education system.
Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, the National President of ASUU, revealed this during the 2024 ASUU Heroes Day event in Abuja on Tuesday, November 12.
World Bank, IMF accused of trying to destroy Nigerian universities
“Comrades, like in the past, this year’s celebration of our heroes also takes place as we continue the struggle to rescue Nigeria’s public universities from the suffocating clutches of the World Bank and the IMF, whose determination to destroy and bury our public university system has not abated,” Osodeke stated.
Speaking further at the event, where ASUU honoured its "past and living heroes," Osodeke expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the union’s members throughout the country for their “courageous comradeship and sacrifices to the cause of our union, which forever resonate with the emancipation of Nigerian public university education and the suffering Nigerian people.”
Honorees at the event included Prof. Bright Ekuerhare, Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala, Prof. Oye Oyediran, Prof. The Name Ikiddeh, Mr. S.A. Fadipe, Prof. Sola Olukunle, and Mallam Bashir Kurfi.
Also honoured were Prof. Rasheed Abubakar, Tunde Oduleye, Nasir Hussain, Akin Oyebode, Mustapha A. Danesi, A.T. Wins, and Dr Peter Ozo-son.
ASUU calls for resolution of salary issues, renegotiation of 2009 agreement
The union expressed frustration over the delay in renegotiating its 2009 agreement with the Federal Government, pointing out that despite numerous Memoranda of Understanding and Memoranda of Action, the ASUU-FGN 2009 Agreement had still not been renegotiated or concluded.
He lamented that the introduction of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System in public universities had further complicated matters, even though the Federal Executive Council had previously declared plans to eliminate the system from tertiary institutions.
Osodeke also voiced concern over the Federal Government’s continued unjust withholding of the union’s three and a half months' salaries, along with outstanding arrears, promotions, and the Earned Academic Allowance.
He disclosed that the union would be granting PhD scholarships to certain members from public universities across the country. With a value of N500,000 per recipient, the grants would be awarded based on a comprehensive assessment of proposals by subject matter experts.
ASUU voices outrage over failed negotiations
“It is rather lamentable that we are still struggling to compel the renegotiation of our 2009 Agreement with the federal government, twelve years after it should have been concluded, and after four rounds of failed negotiations.
“It is most disheartening and egregious that despite the several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Action (MoAs), the ASUU-FGN 2009 Agreement is yet to be renegotiated and finalised,” Osodeke stated.
Osodeke accused state authorities of still penalising ASUU members for standing up for the rights of their fellow members and the university system.
“Let me re-emphasise that we stand with our members at Kogi State University, Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in their persecution for their principled support and solidarity in the struggle to defend the soul of public university education in Nigeria.
“As part of our Heroes Day celebration, this year, and in line with the NDC decision, the union will be offering PhD grants to some of our members across various public universities in the country.
“The grants, valued at five hundred thousand naira per recipient, will be based on the rigorous assessment of their proposals by experts in their respective disciplines,” Osodeke added.
ASUU threatens indefinite strike, says FG failed to honour agreement
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) warned of an indefinite strike due to the Federal Government's failure to honour a 2009 agreement regarding salaries and funding.
Key issues include unpaid salaries, poor funding for public universities, and unresolved negotiations.