The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed outrage over the Federal Government's plan to inject N2tn into the economy without allocating any funds to the education sector. According to ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, this exclusion demonstrates gross insensitivity to the challenges facing Nigerian universities.
President Bola Tinubu had announced the government's plan to boost the economy through various sectors, including health, agriculture, energy, and general business support. However, education was conspicuously absent from the list.
Osodeke criticized the government's priorities, noting that they have consistently neglected the educational system despite its deteriorating state. He accused the government of being more focused on IMF and World Bank directives than investing in Nigeria's future.
The ASUU president also referenced recent protests by university chapters demanding fair treatment, including renegotiation of the FG/ASUU 2009 agreement, payment of withheld salaries, and earned academic allowances. He expressed disappointment that the government met with other university unions but ignored ASUU's concerns.
When asked about potential next steps, Osodeke hinted that ASUU would announce its plans soon, suggesting industrial action was imminent. The union's demands include a living wage, proper funding for universities, and an end to the proliferation of universities.
The government's exclusion of education from the emergency funding has sparked concerns about their commitment to the sector, leading Osodeke to question their sensitivity to the plight of Nigerian students and workers.