By Clifford Ejenavi
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other stakeholders in the education sector have blasted the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the cabinet of Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the woes in the education sector.
Speaking during a virtual conversation with the President of ASUU, Prof. Christopher Piwuna on Sunday, November 9, 2025, hosted by a Historian and Scholar, Prof. Toyin Falola, ASUU President, stated that Ministers and Chief Executives of government across the country are the major problems facing the education sector in Nigeria.
He said these people do not see education as a concern that affects them personally, giving instance that when ASUU declares or threatens a strike, the Minister of Finance views it as the Education Minister’s problem, while the Minister of Science and Technology sees it as someone else’s issue, and the same goes for other Ministers. This mindset he noted prevents coordinated responses.
“If the Minister of Finance understood that education is critical to developing manpower for national success, or if Science and Technology realized that research institutions cannot function without educated graduates, they would treat the Education Minister’s challenges as their own. But currently, other arms of government leave it solely to the Education Ministry to resolve, which is one reason solutions are never forthcoming.
“The problem is also ideological. We in ASUU view education as a public good, essential for national development. But many government officials see it through a capitalistic lens: if it does not generate profit, it is not prioritized. That is why some prominent Nigerians now advocate that hedge funds should fund private universities where they have vested interests, rather than support public education.
“Another factor is self-interest. Some officials prioritize personal gain and contract inflation over meaningful investment in education. Funds meant for development, like the TETFUND, have become marketplaces for profit, rather than tools for improving universities.
“Regarding the ongoing ASUU-NEC meeting in Taraba State, the terms of agreement are shaping up, and we hope to make a definite statement in the next week or two. What is clear, however, is that the government’s current salary offer is unacceptable. We are prepared to go to any length to fight for fair compensation.
“Yes, in terms of salaries and conditions, we feel like we are living in the 17th or 18th century. Our salaries are insufficient, and public universities lack the endowments and infrastructure needed to grow. Billionaires fund private universities, not public ones. Over the years, we have fought, negotiated, and gone on strike to achieve the little progress we have. Those small gains are not due to incompetence, they are the result of our struggle to resist government neglect.
“Our colleagues work tirelessly, often sleeping in offices and bringing their families to campus, yet they cannot secure endowments or improve resources. This is the reality we face daily, we are struggling to move our institutions forward under difficult circumstances,” Prof. Piwuna said.
A panelist and President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated that ASUU members are workers, but beyond that, they are character molders and shapers of society, adding that their role in nation-building is critical, and as one of NLC affiliates, their struggle is legitimate and deserving of full support.
“On why we are supporting ASUU, let me emphasize that ASUU is a trade union organization, and that status gives it the right to fight for the welfare and interests of its members.
“History shows that the struggles of ASUU have always been tough. Beyond the issue of university autonomy, we must broaden the conversation. Is the Nigerian state truly approaching education the right way? Are we focusing only on universities while neglecting primary and secondary education? If we fail to get the foundation right, excellence at the tertiary level will remain impossible.
“This discussion is very important because it goes beyond ASUU’s problems, it reflects the overall crisis in Nigeria’s education sector. I don’t understand how an agreement signed as far back as 2009 can still be unresolved. It shows a lack of seriousness on the part of those in authority.
“The issue of poor wages is central to the problem. University lecturers don’t live in isolation. In some cases, a month’s salary cannot even cover the cost of a single flight ticket. We must take a holistic look at the entire system beyond autonomy and see how to restore dignity to education in Nigeria.
“This conversation, to me, strikes at the heart of our existence. It is time policymakers take it seriously. The NLC and ASUU have agreed to extend discussions for a few weeks, and we hope that by the time we hear from the President, there will be clear progress toward lasting solutions,” Comrade Ajaero stated.
In his own submission, another panelist, an Economist and former Vice Chancellor of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, said academics plays major role in national development, adding that when farmers plant improved seeds that yield better harvests, it is often the result of research conducted by academics.
“So, when we talk about their working conditions or salaries, we must remember that these are the people generating the knowledge that drives progress in every sector. Unfortunately, the system has, for many years, paid little attention to research. It seems more concerned with politics and happenings in the larger society than supporting the knowledge base that sustains national growth,” Prof. Tella said.
As for Prof. Francis Egbokare, who was also a panelist, noted that the core of the problem in our university system is leadership, particularly at the level of governing councils. He stated that in some cases, council members see their appointments as opportunities for personal gain rather than service, emphasizing that matters that should be handled transparently are often influenced by vested interests.
“Across Nigerian universities, you can see evidence of this leadership failure in the physical environment, poorly designed and badly finished buildings that do not reflect modern standards. At a time when the world is embracing sustainable construction and innovative design, our campuses are still filled with substandard structures despite huge government investments.
“We must also examine how university leaders are selected. ASUU has its role, but as academics, we must not speak from both sides of the mouth. We cannot condemn the system’s problems while participating in the same practices that perpetuate them.
“I have often said that money, in itself, is not the main issue, it’s about how funding is used. If government institutions patronized universities for consultancy, training, and research, our institutions would be better funded and more relevant.
“Another challenge lies in the structure of the Nigerian university system. There is little integration of national assets. We have duplication, redundancy, and underutilization of capacity across campuses, all of which make the system inefficient and expensive to maintain,” Prof. Egbokare said.
Another panelist and Journalist with The PUNCH, Grace Edema, stated that each time the ASUU – FG crisis arises, journalists already know most of the union’s demands by heart, especially the long-standing 2009 Agreement. That agreement she said has repeatedly featured in every round of negotiations but has never been fully implemented.
“Year after year, new committees are set up to renegotiate the same document, and one wonders what exactly the government hopes to achieve. In a country that understands the vital role of higher education in research, development, and preparing the next generation to compete globally, it is alarming that such negotiations have dragged on for over 16 years without a concrete resolution.
“At some point, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) became a major source of conflict. Lecturers complained that it distorted their salaries and failed to address university-specific needs, prompting ASUU to develop an alternative platform, UTAS.
“As journalists, we’ve always ensured that ASUU crises receive the attention they deserve. Whenever the union embarks on strike, the story often makes the front page of national newspapers. Such placement is deliberate to draw the government’s attention and create a sense of urgency. Yet, despite the media spotlight, the government often resorts to temporary fixes, making small payments to appease stakeholders before moving on, leaving the core issues unresolved,” she said.
