Immediate past National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, has reflected on the intense struggles the union faced during his tenure, especially under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Labour Minister, Chris Ngige.
Speaking at a reception held in his honour at the ASUU Secretariat of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Osodeke revealed that ASUU’s unwavering resilience was all that prevented the nation’s education system from total collapse during that turbulent era.
“We encountered a lot of difficulties during the era of Ex-President Mohammadu Buhari. May his soul rest in peace; anchored by Chris Ngige who created a lot of confusion when we were struggling for the good of our education system,” he said.
Osodeke attributed the mass migration of Nigerian lecturers to the poor treatment and neglect of university academics, especially under the previous administration. He noted that despite the challenges, ASUU recorded significant wins under his leadership, including the removal of universities from the controversial IPPIS platform and securing full retirement benefits for professors.
According to him, public universities would have gone the way of defunct Nigerian institutions like the Airways and refineries if ASUU hadn’t stayed the course.
The former ASUU President also reaffirmed the union’s stance that public universities still offer better quality education compared to their private counterparts, with 95% of Nigerian university students still enrolled in public institutions.
ASUU’s current National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, who also spoke at the event, described the union’s mission as a collective struggle in the interest of lecturers, students, and their families. He vowed to continue pushing for university autonomy, academic freedom, and better working conditions.
Echoing this sentiment, ASUU MOUAU Chairperson, Professor Chike Ugwuene, praised Osodeke for his bold leadership, saying he had made both the university and Nigeria proud. He also commended the harmonious relationship between ASUU and the university management.
Representing the Vice Chancellor of MOUAU, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) Professor Nneoma Obasi applauded Professor Osodeke for his tireless dedication, describing him as a true fighter who spent many “sleepless nights of endless negotiations” for the survival of public universities.
