The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has cautioned Nigerians to prepare for another disruption in academic activities across public universities, insisting that the Federal Government should be held accountable for the looming crisis.
The warning came from the union’s Benin Zone during a press conference held on Monday at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State.
Speaking on behalf of the zone, the Coordinator, Prof. Monday Igbafen, described Nigerian academics as the most marginalised professionals despite their crucial role in national development.
“We want Nigerians to understand that ASUU should not be blamed. The Federal Government must take responsibility for the paralysis that will soon hit Nigerian universities,” Igbafen said.
The Benin Zone comprises the University of Benin, Ambrose Alli University (Ekpoma), Adekunle Ajasin University (Akungba-Akoko), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (Okitipupa), Delta State University (Abraka), Federal University of Petroleum Resources (Effurun), University of Delta (Agbor), Dennis Osadebay University (Asaba), and Southern Delta University (Ozoro).
Igbafen accused the government of insincerity and deliberate neglect, stressing that since ASUU suspended its last strike in October 2022, promises made by the Federal Government remain unfulfilled.
He cited the failure to review lecturers’ conditions of service, refusal to sign the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, non-payment of promotion arrears, and continued withholding of three-and-a-half months’ salaries and third-party deductions as major sources of frustration.
“It is unimaginable that in the face of rising inflation and unbearable living conditions, university lecturers are still trapped in a poor salary structure that has remained stagnant for 16 years,” he lamented.
The union further accused top government officials of neglecting the education system because their children school abroad.
ASUU called on students, parents, civil society groups, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the media, and other stakeholders to pressure the government to act before the education sector collapses entirely.
“Nigerians must realise that university education is at a critical point—it is on the edge of collapse,” Igbafen warned.
