The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, has accused the Federal Government of neglecting agreements reached with the union despite countless meetings and negotiations.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Piwuna stressed that ASUU has always embraced dialogue, attending every session convened by the government. However, he lamented that none of the resolutions — including funding, conditions of service, university autonomy, and academic freedom — have been enforced.
He explained that while both sides have agreed on paper, the government has failed to act. “There is no disagreement between us and the government team. What remains is for them to take the agreements back to their principals for approval, but that is where everything is stuck,” he said.
Piwuna also raised concerns about the alarming rate of brain drain in universities and hospitals. He disclosed that in Jos University Teaching Hospital alone, at least 20 consultants have left within two years, while Nigerian lecturers are increasingly moving abroad, with some African universities employing up to 20 of them at once.
The ASUU leader further lamented the state of facilities in Nigerian universities, describing them as poor and outdated. He noted that fewer than five out of 333 Nigerian universities are ranked among the top 1,000 in Africa, a reflection of the system’s decay.
While stressing that lecturers do not enjoy strikes, Piwuna argued that government inaction leaves the union with no choice. “Our students are our children. Our wives and relatives are in the system. But until government listens, instability will continue,” he warned.
He urged Nigerians to rally behind ASUU’s push for reforms, insisting the struggle is not just about the union but about salvaging the country’s educational future.
