The newly elected National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Christopher Piwuna, has pledged to uphold the union’s long-standing advocacy for university autonomy, academic freedom, and a more conducive working environment for lecturers.
Speaking during a reception held in honour of his predecessor, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Piwuna reaffirmed that his administration would not shy away from using industrial action if necessary, while expressing hope for peaceful negotiations with the Federal Government.
“I will sustain the demand for university autonomy, academic freedom, and a generally conducive environment for ASUU members,” Piwuna declared. “Strike is a universal tool that cannot be taken off the table, but it will only be applied if the government fails to honour its agreements with ASUU.”
Piwuna, a professor of medicine and ASUU’s 14th national president, noted that the union’s agitations are not isolated within the Nigerian context. “Our struggle is collective, it affects lecturers, students, and parents alike. Strikes are not peculiar to Nigeria; they are employed worldwide. That said, we hope we won’t need to resort to industrial action before our demands are met,” he added.
During the 2023 general election campaign, President Bola Tinubu promised to end the recurring ASUU strikes that have disrupted academic calendars for years. Since assuming office, the Tinubu administration has held several meetings with ASUU leaders in a bid to resolve long-standing issues in the sector.
Also speaking at the event, Chairperson of the ASUU MOUAU chapter, Comrade Chike Ugwuene, praised Professor Osodeke for his leadership and dedication to improving Nigeria’s education system. “He served the nation and made us proud by fighting tirelessly for the betterment of education,” she said. “Although our local union enjoys harmony with the university management, we remain committed to standing up for our rights if necessary.”
In his remarks, former ASUU President Osodeke recounted the difficulties faced during his tenure, particularly under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige. He described the relationship with Ngige as turbulent and unproductive.
“Ngige’s confrontational stance created a lot of confusion during our legitimate struggle. But ASUU’s resilience ensured that our universities did not collapse like other public institutions such as Nigerian Airways or the refineries,” he said.
Osodeke linked the mass exodus of Nigerian academics to poor working conditions. “Many lecturers are relocating to the U.S., Europe, and Saudi Arabia due to the lack of incentives and poor treatment at home,” he explained.
He also highlighted some of ASUU’s key achievements, including progress toward removing public universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and securing improved retirement benefits for professors.
Despite the challenges facing public universities, Osodeke maintained that they continue to outperform private institutions in terms of quality and accessibility. “About 95 per cent of university students in Nigeria are still enrolled in public institutions,” he said, warning that further neglect could threaten this status.
The event was attended by dignitaries including the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of MOUAU, Mr. Felix Edeh, who represented President Bola Tinubu in his capacity as visitor to the university, as well as former ASUU President, Professor Isa Nasir Fagee, who chaired the occasion.
Source: RipplesNigeria | Read More
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