By Oluwabukunmi
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan chapter, has accused the Federal Government of lacking sincerity in its approach to collective bargaining and the welfare of academic staff in Nigeria’s public universities.
The union said the government’s handling of lecturers’ working conditions and its attitude towards tertiary education demonstrated a lack of genuine commitment to revitalising the nation’s universities.
Speaking on Situation Room, a radio programme in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, ASUU-UI Chairman, Dr. Adefemi Afolabi, said the union’s recent two-week warning strike was forced by what he described as the Federal Government’s “delay tactics” and disregard for signed agreements.
“The Federal Government took ASUU for granted for over eight months. We were not happy to declare a warning strike, but we were compelled to do so because of the government’s insincerity and failure to respect the principle of collective bargaining,” Afolabi stated.
He recalled that ASUU had waited patiently for months after the Yayale Ahmed-led committee concluded renegotiations on lecturers’ conditions of service, only for the government to set up a fresh committee to restart the process.
“This is simply a waste of time and resources. It shows that the government is not serious about addressing our concerns. Instead of implementing the renegotiated agreement, they have returned us to square one,” he lamented.
The ASUU chairman further expressed concern over the mass exodus of highly qualified academics from Nigerian universities in search of better opportunities abroad.
“Sadly, we are losing our best brains. Professors are resigning in droves, while many young lecturers are leaving after discovering how poor their salaries and conditions of service are. Even first-class graduates no longer show interest in joining academia,” he said.
Afolabi warned that the continued neglect of lecturers’ welfare would have dire consequences for the future of university education in Nigeria.
He noted that rising inflation, poor working environments, and unpaid entitlements were making it increasingly difficult for lecturers to perform their duties effectively.
“Many of our colleagues can hardly afford transportation to work. Those who manage to show up are demoralised and distracted by economic hardship. You cannot reward intellectual labour with poverty and expect excellence,” he added.
The union leader reiterated ASUU’s commitment to its ongoing struggle for better funding, improved welfare, and the revitalisation of Nigeria’s public universities, insisting that the strike action was in the best interest of the nation’s students and the education sector.
“Our struggle is not selfish. It is about the future of Nigerian education and the children of the masses. Until the government shows genuine commitment, ASUU will continue to fight for what is right,” Afolabi said.
