- ASUU expressed disappointment with the government for not responding to proposals after two months of negotiations
- Professor Osodeke criticised the lack of meaningful progress in the education sector under the current administration
- ASUU considered further action, including the possibility of a nationwide strike, due to the government’s continued inaction
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed profound disappointment with the Federal Government for failing to meet any of its demands, despite months of negotiations aimed at resolving long-standing issues between the two parties.
Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, the president of ASUU, shared the union’s frustration in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune.
When asked about the latest developments regarding their ongoing disputes with the government, Osodeke emphasised that, despite attempts to engage in dialogue, no substantial progress has been made.
In recent months, ASUU had consistently threatened to call for a nationwide strike if the government continued to neglect their agreements.
However, the government has been actively working to de-escalate the situation. Despite these efforts, ASUU has yet to see any concrete action on the issues at hand.
Osodeke explained that while the government recently constituted a renegotiation team to engage with ASUU, the union has already completed its part of the process, awaiting feedback from the government’s representatives.
“We have presented our positions on all the issues in contention, We are now waiting for the government’s team to take these positions back to their principals and return to us with feedback so that we can understand where we both stand.” Osodeke said.
However, Osodeke noted that it has been two months since ASUU submitted its proposals, and the government’s team has yet to respond.
“The implication of this delay is that the political class does not care about any development for the public university system,” he said.
He further criticised the current administration for its lack of meaningful progress in the education sector.
“Under previous governments, there was at least some positive movement on these issues, even if it was just one small thing. But nothing has been forthcoming from this government, No single issue has been permanently resolved since this government came into power over a year ago.” Osodeke lamented.
Osodeke went on to highlight the growing disparity between the educational opportunities available to the rich and the poor.
He said that while the wealthy continue to send their children abroad for education, leaving the children of ordinary Nigerians to suffer in a deteriorating local educational system, the government seems indifferent to the plight of public universities.
“This narrative must change if Nigeria is serious about genuine progress as a country,” Osodeke asserted.
ASUU is expected to hold a meeting soon to determine the next course of action in response to the government's inaction.
The union’s continued dissatisfaction with the federal government’s approach raises the prospect of renewed industrial action, which would further highlight the deepening crisis in Nigeria's public university system.
ASUU blames World Bank, IMF for deteriorating state of Nigeria’s higher education
In a previous report by TheRadar, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were accused of working to destroy Nigeria’s public higher education system by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, the National President of ASUU, revealed this during the 2024 ASUU Heroes Day event in Abuja on Tuesday, November 12.
