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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Nigerian government to increase funding for public universities, warning that only sustained investment in education can end recurring strikes and improve Nigeria’s global university rankings.
The union made its appeal during a session with the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund at the National Assembly on Friday.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, explained that the current two-week warning strike stems from unresolved issues dating back to 2011.
“We have engaged with the Nigerian government for eight years without meaningful progress. The Yayale Ahmed Committee report, submitted in December 2024, was ignored until this strike began,” he said.
Demands Unchanged
Piwuna reaffirmed that ASUU’s key demands — including adequate funding, improved welfare, university revitalisation, and academic autonomy — remain the same.
He challenged the Senate to press the government into fulfilling its funding commitments, saying, “Push the government to fund universities properly, and you’ll see the end of strikes and a rise in our universities’ global standing.”
The ASUU president also revealed that although ₦150 billion was approved for universities by the National Assembly, only ₦50 billion has been released — and that sum remains held up at the Ministry of Education.
He alleged that the minister plans to distribute it among universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, despite each having separate budget allocations.
Piwuna insisted that the ₦150 billion earmarked specifically for universities must not be diverted.
ASUU Warns Wike Over Land Issue
The union also criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for allegedly attempting to seize part of the University of Abuja’s 10,000-hectare land.
“We are deeply concerned. Anyone serious about higher education should focus on developing it, not encroaching on university property,” ASUU stated. “If the minister needs land, he should look elsewhere. We urge the Senate to step in and stop him from taking any part of the university’s land.”
ASUU declared its two-week warning strike on October 13 over longstanding disputes with the government, including the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, withheld salaries, and inadequate funding for public universities.
The Nigerian government, however, maintains that it has met most of ASUU’s demands and remains open to negotiation. It has also enforced a “no work, no pay” policy against the striking lecturers.
