ASUU blames FG anti-poor policies for poverty, hardship in Nigeria

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Benin Zone, on Thursday, urged the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to work harder and provide effective measures that would cushion the effect of its anti-poor policies that has pushed Nigerians and the Nigerian academics down the intolerable abyss of abject poverty and hardship.

ASUU, Benin Zone comprises University of Benin, Benin City, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Delta State University, Abraka, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, and University of Delta, Agbor.

Briefing newsmen in Benin, Edo State on the looming crisis in Nigerian public universities, wherein it asked Nigerians to hold government responsible , Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Benin Zone, Dr. Monday Igbafen said the suffocating situation in public universities can no longer be tolerated and allowed to continue.

Igbafen said the current free-fall of the value of the Naira vis a vis international currencies,  and the failure of government to honour previous agreements as well as its current neglect or refusal to provide effective measures that would cushion the effect of its anti-poor policies has pushed Nigerian academics into hardship and poverty.

He said that the 2009 Agreement was meant to kick-start the reversal of the decay in Nigerian public universities, noting that government has up till date neglected and refused its conclusive  renegotiation and speedy implementation of the Agreement to stem the worsening living and working conditions in Nigerian public universities.

“We are compelled as a union to once again draw your attention to the serial insensitivity of the government to agreements, university laws, regulations and care for the welfare of hard-working lecturers in Nigerian public universities.

“Despite the good intentions of our union and its members to make our universities attractive and globally competitive, government has remained adamant and unrepentant in its assault and imposition of hardship on lecturers, students and the universities.

“The failure of government to honour previous agreements and its current neglect or refusal to provide effective measures that would cushion the effect of its anti-poor policies has pushed Nigerian academics down the intolerable abyss of abject poverty and hardship.

“Accentuated by the current free-fall of the value of the naira vis-à-vis international currencies, the monthly take-home pay (salary) of the highest paid professor in Nigeria, on the average has plummeted to a meager and ridiculous US210.This is one of the least in the world and is, therefore, unacceptable to our Union, “Igbafen said.

Igbafen noted that the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement was one of the core issues that forced the Union to embark on the nationwide strike action of February-October, 2022 and added that the Union believes that the satisfactory and conclusive renegotiation of the Agreement and its successful implementation is the desirable recipe for the worsening living and working conditions of staff, the pandemic problem of underfunding and other challenges of university governance in the country.

“We all are aware of the sorry value of the naira just now as it is readily/steadily climbing to N2,000 to a dollar. There is no long story on this anymore. The depressing situation and time has made it expedient on the President Tinubu-led administration to immediately set in motion the process leading to the review and signing of the Nimi Briggs-led renegotiated draft agreement as a mark of seriousness and assured hope for Nigerian academics and Nigeria’s public universities. Any further delay on this path is an invitation to crisis.” Igbafen said.

The ASUU Benin Zone condemned state governments that have been infested with neoliberal policies and World Bank recommendation to abandon the funding of their universities.

According to Igbafen,  Edo and Ondo State Governments are classical examples in the Benin Zone of our Union as governments whose underfunding posture is worrisome and anti-tertiary education.

He appealed to Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and visitor to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma  (AAU), to address the issues bedeviling staff welfare and development particularly funding of the institution saying, “The complete withdrawal of funding to Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma by the Obaseki-led administration is the bane of the multi-faceted problems bedeviling the university, leading to selective payment of salaries, non-payment of salaries of many staff for 25 months and unpaid arrears of check-off dues and other sundry deductions for several years.

“The insensitivity of the Ondo State Government to adequate funding of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko and Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa calls for urgent redress. Federal Government and the governments of Edo and Ondo States should keep faith with the slogan that education is the bedrock of development and nation building by adequately funding their tertiary institutions.” Igbafen added.

Igbafen said that ASUU is determined to work in synergy with the Obaseki led government find lasting solutions to the issues in AAU but expressed disappointment that the Edo State Governor has consistently shot his door against dialogue with ASUU leadership at Ambrose Alli University.