University teachers, under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday ended their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Imo State University, Owerri, expressing anger and accusing vice chancellors (VCs) and chairmen of university governing councils of usurping powers.

In an 11-page statement signed by the President of the union, Dr. Nasir F. Isa, ASUU accused some VCs of turning themselves to demigods, warning that it was eroding standards in research, learning and services offerings.

The lecturers also vowed to ensure that they are not cowed by actions of vice chancellors trying to remove unionism in contravention of rules guaranteed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to which Nigeria is a signatory

“These vice chancellors and chairmen of governing councils have continued, with unbridled arrogance to manipulate the system to serve their selfish and untoward ends. These Vice- Chancellors and their cronies have literally turned public universities given to them to manage, a practice that is alien to the university culture.” The statement regretted.

The statement expressed disgust that a varsity vice chancellor in Southeast allegedly compelled all the first year students of the institution to pay N60,000 per bed space adding that he recruited temporary staffers and promoted some to various positions without due process.

The ASUU also blamed the VC of a university in the South West of engaging in ‘war of attrition’ with his staff for a second-term bid, inviting President Muhammadu Buhari and relevant state administrators to set up visitation panels into such institutions without delay in line with Miscellaneous Provisions Act 11 of 1993 as amended in 2011.

According to the union, about 12 new federal universities operate without recourse to the extant laws.

On the presidential directive on Treasury Single Account (TSA), the union advised that representatives of the universities be consulted to look at the immediate and remote implications of implementing it.

They also decried alleged non-payment of salaries of some employees of 20 universities for period ranging from two to nine months.

“Both Federal and State Governments have surreptitiously turned public universities to beggars for funds, discouraging, frustrating and banning union activities,” the teachers said.