ASUU Warns FG: Fix current universities before approving new ones

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Akure Zone, has criticized the Federal Government for allegedly misrepresenting the status of ongoing negotiations with the union and described newly approved universities as “crisis centres.”

Speaking at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Zonal Coordinator Prof. Adeola Egbedokun highlighted that the government had imposed a seven-year moratorium on establishing new universities, yet it has continued to approve additional institutions. Joined by ASUU chairmen from the seven branches in the zone, Egbedokun expressed concern that while existing universities remain poorly funded, the government persists in expanding the system instead of improving resources for current institutions.

Rejecting the government’s proposed 35% salary increase for academics, he said the offer would neither stop the exodus of scholars nor restore dignity to the profession. He also condemned government officials for distorting facts about the negotiation process, stressing that delayed promotion arrears and unremitted third-party deductions, which have accumulated over years, should not be presented as significant achievements.

With less than a month left for the government to act on ASUU’s demands, Egbedokun urged authorities to resolve the issues decisively and honorably, insisting that only a fair and livable wage for academics is acceptable. He reiterated ASUU’s key demands, including the completion of the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU–FG agreement, payment of salary and promotion arrears, release of withheld deductions, and sustainable funding for universities, warning that failure to comply could spark industrial action.

ASUU leaders present at the briefing included Prof. Anthony Odiwe (OAU), Prof. Bamidele Mogaji (FUTA), Prof. Sola Afolayan (EKSU), Dr. Abraham Oladebeye (UNIMED), Dr. Abayomi Fagbuagun (FUOYE), Dr. Babatope Ogundare (BOUESTI), and Dr. Bosun Ajisafe (Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo).

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education clarified that approvals for the universities in Epe, Kachia, and Ogoniland were granted through a Presidential Executive Memo prior to the Federal Executive Council’s announcement of the moratorium.

#UTVAfrica#