The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, has accused the Federal Government of refusing to implement agreements reached with the union despite several rounds of dialogue.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust on Wednesday, Piwuna stressed that ASUU has always embraced dialogue, but lamented that none of the negotiated items—ranging from funding, conditions of service, and academic freedom, to university autonomy and law reviews—had been enforced.
“We have always made ourselves available to government. Anytime they call us, we come from Calabar, Port Harcourt, Jos and other places to meet in Abuja. Dialogue has always been our first option,” he said.
According to him, the government’s negotiation team had agreed with ASUU on all issues, but failed to secure approval from the Ministry of Education and the Federal Government.
“There is no disagreement between us and the government side on each of these items. What remains is for them to return to their principals and take action. That is where we are stuck,” he explained.
Brain Drain in Universities and Hospitals
Prof. Piwuna also linked the mass exodus of academics and medical professionals to poor pay and harsh working conditions.
“In the Jos University Teaching Hospital where I work, at least 20 consultants have left in the last two years. As a head of department, hardly three months pass without my signing a reference letter for a doctor relocating abroad,” he revealed.
He added that Nigerian lecturers were increasingly leaving for universities in other African countries.
“In Uganda today, you will not find fewer than 20 Nigerian lecturers, sometimes in one university,” he said.
Poor Facilities, Global Ranking Gap
The ASUU president lamented the poor infrastructure in Nigerian public universities, noting that fewer than five of the country’s 333 universities rank among Africa’s top 1,000.
“Our pay is low, facilities are outdated, and conditions of service are poor. Go to any public university and ask female lecturers if they are comfortable using the restrooms. Many would rather drive home before returning to campus,” he noted.
Strike Not Our Goal — ASUU
Piwuna insisted that the union does not desire to embark on strikes but is often forced into them by government inaction.
“Lecturers are not happy with strikes. Our students are our children. Our wives and relatives are in the system. We are all affected. But unless government addresses these issues, instability in the system will continue,” he warned.
He urged Nigerians to support ASUU’s fight for reforms, insisting the struggle is for the nation’s future.
“This is not about ASUU. ASUU is only fighting for a better system. It is about our future and about our country,” he said, calling on the media, traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, and civil society to join in pushing for change.
