The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has identified several key issues affecting education in Nigeria. These include corruption, flawed government policies, inadequate funding, staff shortages, poor governance, deteriorating infrastructure, and unions’ failure to honour agreements.

The union warned that both the federal and state governments needed to take responsibility for revamping the nation’s educational system by demonstrating the necessary commitment to do the needful and raising the bar to meet global standards.

Chairman/Deputy President, Buhari Suleiman, said this at the Regular Meeting of Universities and Inter-University Centres Trade Group Council, held at the Lagos State University, Ojo, saying it was high time the decadence was checked before it destroyed the fabric of education in Nigeria.

According to him, education in Nigeria requires urgent attention to revamp the sector and give it a competitive edge.

Suleiman, who spoke on other topical issues that are germane to them as trade unionists and the country, emphasised the economic hardship citizens are currently passing through, noting that the policies have reduced the living standard of Nigerians.

He called on the government to take decisive action in addressing the multitude of challenges facing the nation’s economy through diversification, enhancing the standard of living and ensuring effective governance and building strong institutions.

He noted that by taking these steps, the government would restore trust, promote stability, and drive progress for a brighter future.

General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, who underscored the importance of the non-teaching staff across academic institutions, called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and ensure that non-academic staff unions are not shortchanged of their 40 per cent pay rise, threatening that indefinite strike action would be inevitable after April 30 deadline for the Federal Government to conclude its wage renegotiation.

“So this meeting today is clearly about our rejection of that so-called 30 per cent that has been flying everywhere. We believe that the government that concluded negotiations with the academics in all the other institutions should allow the non-academic people to conclude their own negotiations. Let us sign agreements.

“Because they know the importance of the non-teaching staff. So comrades, the major issue that we are deliberating upon today is the renegotiation and the rejection of the 30 per cent. And if nothing is done before then, by May 1, visit our campuses and report what you see.”

Vice Chancellor, LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Bello, who was recognised for her role in academic excellence and staff welfare, commended her management team and staff members of the citadel of learning on teaming together to achieve the feat.

The National President of NASU, Hassan Makolo, also underscored the importance of the union as stated in the act.

On universities interfering in union activities and not paying their checkoff dues, they said they’ll take them to the Ministry of Labour and when it fails, they go to court.

He alleged that since the government migrated university-based unions from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System platform, their salaries are always delayed and no longer in line with the general federal payment schedule.

The group’s LASU Branch Chairman, Sanni Obafemi, mentioned over 19 achievements made during the past three years, adding that with unity, the union can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and build a future that reflects the values of fairness, equity, and solidarity.