ASUU Urges Federal Government to Increase Funding for Public Universities to End Strikes
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has renewed its call for the Federal Government of Nigeria to increase funding for public universities, emphasizing that sustainable investment in education is the only long-term solution to recurring ASUU strikes and Nigeria’s poor global university rankings.
Speaking before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund at the National Assembly on Friday, ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, said the union’s ongoing two-week warning strike stems from unresolved issues dating back to 2011.
“We have engaged the Federal Government for eight years without any tangible results. The Yayale Ahmed Committee report, submitted in December 2024, was ignored until this industrial action began,” Piwuna stated.
ASUU’s Demands Remain the Same
Professor Piwuna reaffirmed that ASUU’s key demands remain unchanged: adequate and sustainable university funding, improved working conditions for lecturers, revitalisation of public universities, and full academic autonomy.
He challenged lawmakers to pressure the government to prioritize education funding, saying:
“Push the government to fund universities properly, and you’ll see an end to strikes and a rise in our global university rankings.”
Delay in Release of ₦150 Billion Education Fund
According to Piwuna, although the National Assembly approved ₦150 billion for universities, only ₦50 billion has been released so far — and even that is still being withheld by the Ministry of Education.
He alleged that the ministry plans to distribute the funds among universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, despite each having separate budget allocations.
Piwuna warned that the ₦150 billion approved specifically for universities must be used solely for that purpose.
ASUU Accuses Nyesom Wike of Land Encroachment
ASUU also raised concern over alleged attempts by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to take over part of the University of Abuja’s 10,000-hectare land.
“We are deeply worried because the University of Abuja, located in the FCT, deserves expansion, not encroachment. If the minister needs land, he should look elsewhere,” the union said, urging the Senate to intervene and protect the institution’s property.
Background on ASUU Strike
The ASUU warning strike, which began on October 13, is in protest of the Federal Government’s failure to implement agreements related to the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, withheld lecturers’ salaries, and poor funding for public universities.
While ASUU insists that its demands have been ignored, the Federal Government maintains that it has met all obligations and remains open to dialogue. It has, however, enforced the no-work, no-pay policy on striking lecturers.
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