The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Federal Government to increase funding for public universities, stressing that consistent investment in education is the only sustainable solution to end industrial actions and raise Nigeria’s standing in global university rankings.
The union presented its position before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund at the National Assembly on Friday.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, said the ongoing two-week warning strike stemmed from unresolved issues that date back to 2011.
“For eight years, we have engaged with the Federal Government without tangible results. The Yayale Ahmed Committee report, submitted in December 2024, was ignored until this strike began,” Piwuna stated.
Core Demands Remain the Same
He reaffirmed that ASUU’s long-standing demands — including sustainable funding, improved conditions of service, revitalisation of public universities, and protection of academic autonomy — have not changed.
Piwuna challenged the Senate to compel the government to increase education funding, saying, “Push the government to fund universities adequately, and you will see the end of strikes and an improvement in our global ranking.”
On funding delays, he disclosed that while the National Assembly approved ₦150 billion for universities, only ₦50 billion has been released — and that sum remains with the Ministry of Education. He alleged that the ministry plans to share the funds among universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, despite each institution already having separate allocations.
He warned that the ₦150 billion earmarked for universities must be used exclusively for that purpose.
ASUU Warns Wike Over Land Encroachment
ASUU also expressed concern over what it described as attempts by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to seize part of the University of Abuja’s 10,000 hectares of land.
“We are alarmed by the minister’s continued interest in the university’s land,” the union said. “Anyone committed to higher education should be working to develop it, not dispossess it of land. If the minister needs land, he should look elsewhere. We appeal to the Senate to intervene and stop any encroachment.”
ASUU began its two-week warning strike on 13 October to protest unresolved issues, including the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, withheld salaries, poor funding of public universities, and the welfare of lecturers.
The Federal Government has maintained that it has addressed the union’s main concerns and remains open to dialogue, while enforcing its “no work, no pay” policy against striking members.