In a recent statement, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing industrial actions until the Nigerian government addresses its demands. This declaration was made by the President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, during a two-day interactive session between the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and all unions representing beneficiary institutions.
ASUU has expressed strong opposition to any proposal by TETFund to include private universities in the country as beneficiary institutions of its projects. Prof Osodeke argued that such a move would lead to the proliferation of private universities lacking in quality.
While commending TETFund for its delivery of projects, Osodeke urged the fund to focus on improving the monitoring methods of its projects across the country. He emphasized that the level of performance by beneficiary institutions varies, even though some of them receive the same amount of funding. He also called on TETFund to impose sanctions on non-performing institutions and advocate for the abolition of what he referred to as the “stakeholders fund.”
According to Osodeke, “ASUU will continue to embark on strike until the right thing is done in our tertiary institutions. Stakeholders’ fund should be abolished.”
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, explained that the interactive session was organized as a proactive engagement in light of the prevailing challenges in the education sector. He stressed the importance of maintaining consistent engagement to improve the situation and foster steady growth and development in tertiary education.
Echono emphasized that the primary mandate of TETFund is to rehabilitate, restore, and consolidate tertiary education in Nigeria using funding alongside project management. The interactive session aims to provide a platform for discussions on industrial disputes and ways to prevent and mitigate them.
The former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, spoke about ‘The Role of Trade Unions in TETFund Intervention Activities.’ Wabba commended TETFund for its commitment to enhancing university education for both lecturers, non-academic workers, and the student population in various campuses throughout Nigeria. He acknowledged the significant contributions of the unions in tertiary institutions in resisting the impact of neoliberal policies in Nigeria.
This ongoing stance by ASUU indicates a continued struggle for better conditions within the Nigerian education system, with the union calling for comprehensive reforms and actions to improve the quality of tertiary education in the country.