The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, has accused the federal government of failing to implement agreements reached with the union, despite repeated dialogues.
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Speaking on Wednesday in an interview on Trust TV, Prof. Piwuna said ASUU has consistently engaged the government, traveling from cities such as Calabar, Port Harcourt, and Jos to Abuja for negotiations, but none of the agreed items have been enforced.
“We have always made ourselves available to government. Dialogue has always been our first option,” he said. “But there’s no part of the agreement that has been implemented. Items like funding, conditions of service, academic freedom, university autonomy, and the review of some laws remain unresolved because the government has not acted.”
He explained that although both sides had produced documents outlining agreed points, the process stalled while waiting for government authorities to give final approval. “What remains is for them to return to their principals in the Ministry of Education and the federal government to confirm what has been accepted or rejected. That is where we are stuck,” he said.
Prof. Piwuna also linked the exodus of professionals from universities and teaching hospitals to poor salaries and 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 said.
“The same goes for lecturers. If everyone is leaving because of low pay, why can’t the government improve salaries to retain staff?” he added, noting that Nigerian academics are increasingly being recruited by universities across Africa, including Uganda.
He further lamented the poor state of facilities in Nigerian universities, saying it contributes to low global rankings. “Out of 333 universities in Nigeria, fewer than five are in the top 1,000 in Africa. Our pay is low, facilities are not upgraded, and conditions of service are poor,” he said.
Highlighting the hardships faced by staff, he added, “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.”
Prof. Piwuna emphasized that strikes are not a choice but a last resort. “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 called on the media, traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, and civil society to advocate for reforms in Nigeria’s education sector, stressing that ASUU’s struggle is not merely for the union but for the future of the country.
“This is not about ASUU. We are fighting for a better system, for our future and for our country,” he added.
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